Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00698/USCOURTS-casd-3_11-cv-00698-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:402 Social Security Benefits

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

FRANCIS O. BIDDLE,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 11-CV-0698-H-CAB

ORDER DENYING IN FORMA

PAUPERIS APPLICATION

WITHOUT PREJUDICE AND

GRANTING 30 DAYS TO PAY

FILING FEES

vs.

MICHAEL J. ASTRUE, 

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

On April 6, 2011, Plaintiff Francis O. Biddle (“Plaintiff”) filed a complaint against

Defendant Michael J. Astrue (“Defendant”). (Doc. No. 1.) Plaintiff also filed a motion to

proceed in forma pauperis. (Doc. No. 2.)

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 $350.00

See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). An action may proceed despite a plaintiff’s failure to prepay the

entire fee only if the plaintiff 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). The benefit

of proceeding in forma pauperis is a privilege, not a right. Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221,

1231 (9th Cir. 1984). As 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) states, in part:

[A]ny court of the United States may authorize the commencement, prosecution

or defense of any suit, action or proceeding, civil or criminal, or appeal therein,

Case 3:11-cv-00698-H-RBB Document 4 Filed 04/07/11 Page 1 of 2
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without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an

affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such [person] possesses that the

person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.

A plaintiff need not “be absolutely destitute to enjoy the benefit of this statute.” Adkins v. E.I.

DuPont de Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339 (1948); Jefferson v. United States, 277 F.2d

723, 725 (9th Cir. 1960), cert. denied, 364 U.S. 896 (1960). He must, however, demonstrate

his poverty with “some particularity, definiteness, and certainty.” United States v. McQuade,

647 F.2d 938, 940 (9th Cir. 1981).

The Court notes that Plaintiff receives $825.00 each month through Social Security and

disability. (Doc. No. 2 at 2.) Plaintiff also has a combined balance of $4000.00 in checking

and savings accounts. (Id.) Furthermore, Plaintiff owns an automobile vehicle and mobile

home property, although the value of either is unknown. (Id. at 2-3.)

It appears Plaintiff can afford the $350.00 filing fee. Accordingly, the Court DENIES

the request to proceed in forma pauperis. Petitioners must, no later than May 7, 2011, provide

the Court with: (1) a copy of this Order together with the $350.00 filing fee; or (2) a copy of

this Order together with adequate proof that Petitioners cannot pay the $350.00 filing fee. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 7, 2011

________________________________

MARILYN L. HUFF, District Judge

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

Case 3:11-cv-00698-H-RBB Document 4 Filed 04/07/11 Page 2 of 2