Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00223/USCOURTS-casd-3_18-cv-00223-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:0423 Social Security Act (Disability Insurance Benefit Payments)

---

1

18-cv-0223-WQH-JLB

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

MARY ELAINE ZARATE,

Plaintiff,

v.

NANCY A. BERRYHILL, Acting 

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No.: 18-cv-0223-WQH-JLB

ORDER

HAYES, Judge:

On January 31, 2018, Plaintiff Mary Elaine Zarate initiated this action by filing a

Complaint (ECF No. 1), a Notice of Party with Financial Interest (ECF No. 2), and a 

Motion to Proceed in Forma Pauperis (ECF No. 3). 

All parties instituting a civil action, suit, or proceeding in a district court of the 

United States, other than a petition for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing fee of 

$400.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a); CivLR 4.5. An action may proceed despite a party’s 

failure to pay only if the party is granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(a). See Rodriguez v. Cook, 169 F.3d 1176, 1177 (9th Cir. 1999). 

Case 3:18-cv-00223-WQH-JLB Document 4 Filed 02/27/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 1 of 2
2

18-cv-0223-WQH-JLB

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 affidavit filed by Zarate states that she is unable to pay the costs of these 

proceedings. (ECF No. 3 at 1). Zarate’s total monthly income is only $206 less than her

total monthly expenses, and Zarate currently “live[s] with friends” without paying rent. 

See id. at 4–5. After considering Zarate’s motion and affidavit, the Court determines that 

Zarate cannot afford to pay the filing fee in this case and is eligible to proceed in forma 

pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a).

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis

(ECF No. 3) is GRANTED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all matters arising in this Social Security case are 

referred to the Honorable Jill L. Burkhardt, United States Magistrate Judge, pursuant to 

28 U.S.C. § 636(a) and Local Civil Rule 72.1.

Dated: February 27, 2018

Case 3:18-cv-00223-WQH-JLB Document 4 Filed 02/27/18 PageID.<pageID> Page 2 of 2