Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-00855/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-00855-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH MICHAEL GARCIA,

Plaintiff,

Case No. 15-CV-855 MMA (NLS)

ORDER DENYING WITHOUT

PREJUDICE MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

[Doc. No. 3]

vs.

CAROLYN W. COLVIN, Acting

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

On April 17, 2015, Plaintiff Joseph Michael Garcia filed complaint for review

of the final decision of the Acting Commissioner of Social Security denying his

application for disability insurance benefits. Doc. No. 1. Plaintiff seeks leave to

proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). Doc. No. 3. 

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

the United States, except an application for writ of habeas corpus, must pay a filing

fee of $400.1

 See 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). Under Civil Local Rule 3.2, all actions

sought to be filed IFP must include, inter alia, “[a] statement as to any money

received within the past twelve months,” along with “a description of each source of

1

 In addition to the $350 statutory fee, all parties filing a civil action on or after May 1, 2013, must pay an additional administrative fee of $50. See 28 U.S.C. 1914(a). However, the additional fee of $50 is waived if the plaintiff is granted leave to proceed IFP.

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money and the amount of money received from each source during the past twelve

months.” CivLR 3.2(a)(3) (emphasis added). Where a plaintiff is granted leave to

proceed IFP, the action may proceed without prepayment of fees or security. 28

U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1). “To proceed [IFP] is a privilege not a right.” Smart v. Heinze,

347 F.2d 114, 116 (9th Cir. 1965). 

In his application,2

 Plaintiff states that he is unemployed, and is currently

being supported by his mother. Plaintiff asserts: “I do not have my own money. I

am a joint signer on my mother’s account,” and lists the amount of money in the

account as “$274.035.08.” Plaintiff states that he is also listed as “co-trustee on [his]

mother’s home,” and that “[p]er Zillow the house value is $357,000.” Plaintiff

further indicates that he owns a “1999 Toyota Tacoma valued at $1670 paid off,”

and that he is a co-signer on “a 2012 Honda Civic valued at $13,300, paid off,” that

belongs to his mother. 

After reviewing the application, the Court finds Plaintiff has failed to

demonstrate that he lacks the financial resources or assets to pay the costs of

commencing this action. Plaintiff appears to indicate that he has over two hundred

seventy-four thousand dollars in a joint checking or savings account, and that he is

joint owner of a home valued at three hundred fifty-seven thousand dollars. 

Furthermore, Plaintiff has not indicated the amount of money received from his

mother in the last twelve months, in accordance with Civil Local Rule 3.2(a)(3).

 Accordingly, the Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion to proceed IFP without

prejudice. Within fourteen days of the date of this Order, Plaintiff shall either: (a)

pay the $400 filing fee, or (b) file a renewed motion for IFP containing accurate

information regarding Plaintiff’s ability to pay the costs of commencing this action

as set forth in Civil Local Rule 3.2(a). If Plaintiff fails to timely submit payment or

2

 Plaintiff appears to have submitted Form AO 240 from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, rather than the Court’s approved Motion and Declaration to

Proceed In Forma Pauperis form, available on the Court’s website at

“https://www.casd.uscourts.gov/Attorneys/SitePages/Forms.aspx.”

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a renewed motion for IFP, this case shall be dismissed. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court provide Plaintiff

with a copy of this Court’s approved form, “Motion and Declaration in Support of

Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis,” to be completed and filed with any renewed

motion for IFP.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 21, 2015

Hon. Michael M. Anello

United States District Judge

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