Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_20-cv-00151/USCOURTS-cand-3_20-cv-00151-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 05:552 Right to Privacy Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ELIDIA M. DUARTE,

Plaintiff,

v.

ANDREW SAUL,

Defendant.

Case No. 20-cv-00151-JCS 

Also Filed in Case No. 16-cv-07142-EMC

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION 

TO PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

SUA SPONTE REFERALL TO 

DETERMINE WHETHER CASES ARE 

RELATED

Plaintiff Elidia M. Duarte, pro se, brings this action alleging that Defendant Andrew Saul, 

Commissioner of Social Security, (the “Commissioner”) violated Duarte’s rights under the First 

and Fifth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as federal statutes including the 

Administrative Procedures Act, in failing to provide sufficient process for Duarte’s challenge to 

adverse decisions regarding unpaid or purportedly overpaid social security benefits.

Duarte has filed an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Good cause having 

been shown, that application is GRANTED. Issued of service of process and the sufficiency of 

the complaint under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) will be determined separately.

Duarte filed a previous case against an earlier Commissioner, Carolyn Colvin, raising 

similar claims. That case was assigned to the Honorable Edward Chen, who dismissed Duarte’s 

claims for lack of jurisdiction, holding that Duarte had failed to obtain a final decision from the

Commissioner before filing a judicial action. See Duarte v. Colvin, No. 16-cv-07142-EMC, ECF 

Doc. No. 24 (N.D. Cal. Jan. 13, 2017). According to Duarte’s complaint, further administrative 

proceedings have occurred since that order, but it is not clear whether Duarte has obtained a final 

decision from the Commissioner. 

This case is REFERRED to Judge Chen to determine whether it is related to case number 

Case 3:20-cv-00151-JCS Document 8 Filed 02/10/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

16-cv-07142 pursuant to Civil Local Rule 3-12(c). Duarte may file a response to this order 

supporting or opposing finding the cases related no later than February 14, 2020. See Civ. L.R. 

3-12(c), 3-12(e), 7-11(b).

Duarte, who is not represented by counsel, is encouraged to consult with the Federal Pro 

Bono Project’s Legal Help Center in either of the Oakland or San Francisco federal courthouses 

for assistance. The San Francisco Legal Help Center office is located in Room 2796 on the 15th 

floor at 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102. The Oakland office is located in 

Room 470-S on the 4th floor at 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612. Appointments can be 

made by calling (415) 782-8982 or signing up in the appointment book located outside either 

office. Lawyers at the Legal Help Center can provide basic assistance to parties representing 

themselves but cannot provide legal representation

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 10, 2020

______________________________________

JOSEPH C. SPERO

Chief Magistrate Judge

Case 3:20-cv-00151-JCS Document 8 Filed 02/10/20 Page 2 of 2