Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01162/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01162-1/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Sergio Alvarez
Plaintiff
Harder Mechanical Contractors
Defendant

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SERGIO ALVAREZ,

Plaintiff,

v.

HARDER MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS,

Defendant.

1:23-cv-01162-BAM 

ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFF TO FILE 

COMPLETED APPLICATION TO 

PROCEED IN FORMA PAUPERIS OR 

PAY FILING FEE WITHIN THIRTY 

DAYS

 RESPONSE DUE: September 14, 2023

Plaintiff Sergio Alvarez, proceeding pro se, filed this civil action on August 4, 2023, 

along with an application to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). (Docs. 1, 2.) On August 8, 

2023, the Court issued an Order requiring Plaintiff to file a completed IFP application or pay a 

filing fee, and highlighted deficiencies with Plaintiff’s initial IFP application. (Doc. 3.) In its 

Order, the Court noted that Plaintiff had not stated the pay period for his salary in response to 

Item 2a, nor the amount Plaintiff contributes to his children’s support in Item 6. (Id. at 1.) 

Plaintiff filed a new IFP application on August 11, 2023. (Doc. 4.) However, as there are still 

deficiencies with the re-filed IFP application, the Court will direct Plaintiff to file a new 

application.

First, Plaintiff lists “like $2300.00” in response to item 2a requiring he “state the amount 

of your take-home salary or wages and pay period and give the name and address of your 

Case 1:23-cv-01162-BAM Document 5 Filed 08/15/23 Page 1 of 3
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employer.” (Doc. 4 at 1.) This response of “like $2300.00” does not make clear whether 

Plaintiff is paid approximately $2,300.00 weekly, every other week, monthly, yearly, or on some 

other pay period. The form requires applicants “state the amount of your take-home salary or 

wages and pay period...” (Id.) Accordingly, in any refiled IFP application, Plaintiff should 

clarify the frequency he receives the approximately $2300.00 salary (e.g., weekly, biweekly, 

monthly, yearly) for the Court to properly assess his financial circumstances. Second, in 

response to item 6 stating “List the persons who are dependent on you for support, state your 

relationship to each person and indicate how much you contribute to their support,” Plaintiff 

wrote “3 kids everything they need for school or personal use.” (Id. at 2.) This response does 

not include an approximate amount that Plaintiff contributes to his children’s support. In any 

refiled IFP application, Plaintiff should similarly clarify the approximate dollar amount he 

contributes to his three children’s support so the Court may assess his financial 

circumstances.

Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1), a pro se plaintiff may proceed without prepayment of fees 

by submitting “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.” See Flores v. California Corr. 

Women’s Facility, No. 1:19-cv-1509-NONE-JLT, 2020 WL 8821643, at *1 (E.D. Cal. June 24, 

2020) (noting that § 1915(a)(1) applies to non-prisoner plaintiffs). Without knowing Plaintiff’s 

financial circumstances, the Court cannot conclude that Plaintiff is unable to pay the $402.00

filing fee for this case. Accordingly, the Court will require Plaintiff to file a revised application 

containing the completed financial information.

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of Court is directed to mail Plaintiff a form IFP application. (Form

AO 240);

2. Plaintiff shall complete the form IFP application, accurately, truthfully, and

completely answering all questions and shall file the form by no later than September 14, 

2023. Alternatively, Plaintiff may pay the $402.00 filing fee to proceed with this case;

3. No extension of time will be granted without a showing of good cause; and

4. The failure to comply with this order will result in dismissal of this action for 

failure to comply with a Court order, without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 15, 2023 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-01162-BAM Document 5 Filed 08/15/23 Page 3 of 3