Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00104/USCOURTS-caed-1_15-cv-00104-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Garieanne Marie Areias
Plaintiff
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GARIEANNE MARIE AREIAS,

Plaintiff,

v.

COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:15-cv-00104-SAB

ORDER DENYING APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS

(ECF No. 2)

On January 21, 2015, Plaintiff Garieanne Marie Areias (“Plaintiff”) filed the complaint in 

this action seeking judicial review of the final decision of Defendant Commissioner of Social 

Security (“Defendant”) denying Plaintiff’s application for benefits under the Social Security Act. 

(ECF No. 1.) Plaintiff filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis without prepayment of 

the filing fee on the same day. (ECF No. 3.)

In order to proceed in court without prepayment of the filing fee, Plaintiff must submit an 

affidavit demonstrating that he “is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor.” 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915(a)(1). 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., Lint v. City of Boise, No. CV09-72-SEJL, 2009 WL 1149442, at *2 (D. Idaho Apr. 28, 2009) (and cases cited therein).

/ / /

Case 1:15-cv-00104-LJO-SAB Document 3 Filed 01/23/15 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff’s application states that no other person depends upon Plaintiff for support and 

Plaintiff has a spouse. The 2015 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states for a household 

of two is $15,930.00. 2015 Poverty Guidelines, http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm (last 

visited January 21, 2015).

Plaintiff states that her spouse earns $1,800.00 per month in income. Plaintiff also states 

that she receives $1,000.00 per month as a gift from her children to help pay the bills. This 

amounts to $33,600.00 per year. Plaintiff also indicates that she pays approximately $2,272.00 

per month for bills and expenses. Plaintiff owns a house and two cars, though the house is under 

water.

Plaintiff’s application to proceed in forma pauperis demonstrates that Plaintiff is able to 

pay the $400.00 filing fee in this action as her household’s monthly income is significantly 

higher than her household’s monthly expenses. Plaintiff’s household’s monthly income is also 

significantly higher than the poverty threshold reported in the 2015 Poverty Guidelines.

Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiff is not eligible to proceed in forma

pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915. Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff’s 

application to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED and Plaintiff shall pay the $400.00 filing fee 

within thirty (30) days. If the filing fee is not paid within thirty (30) days, this action will be 

dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 22, 2015 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:15-cv-00104-LJO-SAB Document 3 Filed 01/23/15 Page 2 of 2