Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02204/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-02204-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:0405id Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

---

1

18cv2204-CAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

AHMED MIRZA HUSSEIN,

Plaintiff,

v.

SOCIAL SECURITY 

ADMINISTRATION,

Defendant.

Case No.: 18cv2204-CAB

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS 

[Doc. No. 2]; and DENYING MOTION 

FOR APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL 

[Doc. No. 3]

INTRODUCTION

On September 24, 2018, Plaintiff, proceeding pro se, filed a complaint challenging 

the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security to deny Plaintiff Social Security 

benefits [Doc. No. 1], an application to proceed in forma pauperis [Doc. No. 2), and a 

motion for appointment of counsel [Doc. No. 3]. After a review of Plaintiff’s pleadings, 

and for the reasons stated herein, this Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in 

forma pauperis and DENIES Plaintiff's motion for appointment of counsel.

A. Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

A court may authorize the commencement of a suit without prepayment of fees if 

Case 3:18-cv-02204-CAB-BLM Document 4 Filed 09/25/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 4
2

18cv2204-CAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

the plaintiff submits an affidavit, including a statement of all his or her assets, showing 

that he or she is unable to pay the fees. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). Notwithstanding 

payment of any filing fee or portion thereof, a complaint filed by any person proceeding 

in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) is subject to a mandatory and sua 

sponte review and dismissal by the court to the extent it is “frivolous, malicious, fail[s] to 

state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or seek[s] monetary relief from a 

defendant immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B); Calhoun v. Stahl, 254 

F.3d 845, 845 (9th Cir. 2001) (“the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) are not 

limited to prisoners”); Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1126-27 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc).

This Court has conducted a sua sponte review of Plaintiff’s allegations and finds 

that Plaintiff's claims do not appear, on their face, to be frivolous or malicious. In 

addition, Plaintiff’s complaint does not appear, on its face, to fail to state a claim pursuant 

to 42 U.S.C. §§ 405(g) and 1383(c)(3), nor does Defendant appear to be immune from 

suit.

Regarding Plaintiff’s ability to proceed without payment of fees, Plaintiff indicates 

he is currently employed at Grossmont College and earns $500 per month. [Doc. No. 2 at 

2.] Plaintiff represents that he also receives public assistance in the amount of $577 per 

month in the twelve months preceding the filing of his motion to proceed in forma 

pauperis. [Id.] Plaintiff additionally represents that he received no money from any 

other sources in those preceding twelve months. [Id.] Plaintiff’s wife and daughter rely 

on him for support. [Id. At 3.] This Court finds that, based upon Plaintiff's 

representations, Plaintiff has shown that he is unable to pay the fees required to 

commence his lawsuit. Therefore, this Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in 

forma pauperis.

B. Motion for Appointment of Counsel

In addition to Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis, Plaintiff also filed a 

motion for appointment of counsel, and included a declaration in support of this request. 

Case 3:18-cv-02204-CAB-BLM Document 4 Filed 09/25/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 4
3

18cv2204-CAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Generally, a plaintiff in a civil case has no right to appointed counsel. See Hernandez v. 

Whiting, 881 F.2d 768, 770-71 (9th Cir. 1989); United States v. 30.64 Acres, 795 F.2d 

796, 801 (9th Cir. 1986). A court has discretion, however, to appoint an attorney to 

represent “any person unable to afford counsel.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1). A civil 

plaintiff who seeks appointment of counsel must make a reasonably diligent effort to 

obtain counsel before a court may exercise its discretion under § 1915(e)(1). Bailey v. 

Lawford, 835 F. Supp. 550, 552 (S.D. Cal. 1993).

Additionally, court appointment of counsel pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1) 

requires a finding of “exceptional circumstances.” See Terrell v. Brewer, 935 F.2d 1015, 

1017 (9th Cir. 1991) (quoting Wilson v. Esalderon, 789 F.2d 1328, 1331 (9th Cir. 1986)).

Determining whether “exceptional circumstances” exist requires a court to evaluate the 

petitioner’s (1) likelihood of success on the merits, and (2) ability to articulate his claims 

pro se. Id. “Neither of these issues is dispositive and both must be viewed before 

reaching a decision.” Id.

Although Plaintiff has established his indigence by successfully obtaining in forma 

pauperis status, appointing counsel to represent Plaintiff would be inappropriate because 

he has failed to show that exceptional circumstances necessitate appointment of counsel 

to represent him in this matter. First, Plaintiff offers no evidence to substantiate his claim 

that the decision of the Commissioner of Social Security was inappropriate. Second, 

Plaintiff’s motion for appointment of counsel fails to explain how the complexity of 

Plaintiff’s action would prevent him from articulating his claims pro se. For the 

foregoing reasons, Plaintiff’s request for appointment of counsel is DENIED without 

prejudice.

CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis is GRANTED.

2. Plaintiff's request for appointment of counsel is DENIED without prejudice.

Case 3:18-cv-02204-CAB-BLM Document 4 Filed 09/25/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 3 of 4
4

18cv2204-CAB

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

3. The United States Marshal Service shall serve a copy of the complaint and 

summons upon Defendant as directed by Plaintiff on U.S. Marshal Form 

285. All costs of service shall be advanced by the United States.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 25, 2018

Case 3:18-cv-02204-CAB-BLM Document 4 Filed 09/25/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 4 of 4