Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00249/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-00249-0/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

NARINDER KAUR,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:20-cv-0249-SAB

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

WITHOUT PREJUDICE AND REQUIRING 

PLAINTIFF TO FILE LONG FORM 

APPLICATION

(ECF No. 2)

TWENTY DAY DEADLINE

Narinder Kaur (“Plaintiff”) filed a complaint in this action seeking review of the final 

decision of the Commissioner of Social Security denying disability benefits. (ECF No. 1.) 

Plaintiff did not pay the filing fee in this action and instead filed an application to proceed in 

forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. According to Plaintiff’s application to proceed in 

forma pauperis, her family income is over $25,000.00 per year. 

In assessing whether a certain income level meets the poverty threshold under Section 

1915(a)(1), courts look to the federal poverty guidelines developed each year by the Department 

of Health and Human Services. See, e.g., Paco v. Myers, No. CIV. 13-00701 ACK, 2013 WL 

6843057 (D. Haw. Dec. 26, 2013); Lint v. City of Boise, No. CV09-72-S-EJL, 2009 WL 

1149442, at *2 (D. Idaho Apr. 28, 2009) (and cases cited therein). The 2020 Poverty Guidelines 

for the 48 contiguous states for a household of two is $17,240.00. 2020 Poverty Guidelines, 

Case 1:20-cv-00249-SAB Document 3 Filed 02/21/20 Page 1 of 2
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https://aspe.hhs.gov/2020-poverty-guidelines (last visited February 20, 2020). Plaintiff’s income 

of $25,000,00 is well above the poverty level which would indicate that she is not entitled to 

proceed in forma pauperis in this action. 

Accordingly, the Court will order Plaintiff to complete and file an Application to Proceed 

in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) – AO 239. If Plaintiff is 

unwilling to complete and submit the long form application, Plaintiff must pay the filing fee in 

full.

Based upon the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED without prejudice;

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to forward an Application to Proceed in District 

Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long Form) – AO 239 to Plaintiff;

3. Within twenty (20) days of the date of this order, Plaintiff shall either (1) pay the 

$400.00 filing fee for this action, or (2) complete and file the enclosed 

Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepaying Fees or Costs (Long 

Form) – AO 239; and

4. If Plaintiff fails to comply with this order, this action shall be dismissed for failure 

to pay the filing fee and failure to comply with a court order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 20, 2020 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:20-cv-00249-SAB Document 3 Filed 02/21/20 Page 2 of 2