Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_24-cv-01672/USCOURTS-azd-2_24-cv-01672-0/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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WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Kelli Schermerhorn,

Plaintiff,

v. 

Commissioner of Social Security 

Administration,

Defendant.

No. CV-24-01672-PHX-DJH

ORDER 

The parties have filed a Joint Stipulation for Award of Attorney Fees Under the 

Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”) (Doc. 14). Plaintiff, through counsel, seeks 

$4,011.77 in attorney fees. (Id. at 1). 

In any action brought by or against the United States except one sounding in tort, 

the EAJA provides that “a court shall award to a prevailing party other than the United 

States fees and other expenses in addition to any costs . . . unless the court finds that the 

position of the United States was substantially justified.” 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A); 

Tobeler v. Colvin, 749 F.3d 830, 832 (9th Cir. 2014). Under the EAJA, “attorneys’ fees 

are to be awarded to a party winning a . . . remand unless the Commissioner shows that 

his position with respect to the issue on which the district court based its remand was 

“substantially justified.” Lewis v. Barnhart, 281 F.3d 1081, 1083 (9th Cir.2002) (quoting 

Flores v. Shalala, 49 F.3d 562, 568–69 (9th Cir. 1995)). Under Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 

U.S. 586, 595–98 (2010), EAJA fees awarded by the Court belong to Plaintiff and are 

subject to offset under the Treasury Offset Program (31 U.S.C. § 3716(c)(3)(B)).

Case 2:24-cv-01672-DJH Document 15 Filed 01/13/25 Page 1 of 2
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Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED that the Joint Stipulation for Attorney Fees Under the Equal 

Access to Justice Act (Doc. 14) is GRANTED. Plaintiff is awarded $4,011.77 in 

attorney fees. Any check for EAJA fees shall be mailed to Plaintiff’s counsel: Kathryn 

Dicus; Dicus Disability LLC; 10645 N Tatum Blvd., Ste. 329; Phoenix, AZ 85028.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if, after receiving this Order, the 

Commissioner: (1) determines upon effectuation of this Order that Plaintiff does not owe 

a debt that is subject to offset under the Treasury Offset Program, and (2) agrees to waive 

the requirements of the Anti-Assignment Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3727(b), the fees will be made 

payable to Plaintiff’s attorney. However, if there is a debt owed under the Treasury 

Offset Program, the remaining EAJA fees after offset will be paid by check made out to 

Plaintiff but delivered to Plaintiff’s attorney.

Dated this 13th day of January, 2025.

Honorable Diane J. Humetewa

United States District Judge

Case 2:24-cv-01672-DJH Document 15 Filed 01/13/25 Page 2 of 2