Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00772/USCOURTS-caed-1_24-cv-00772-2/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Commissioner of Social Security
Defendant
Christine Fathe Rush
Plaintiff

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CHRISTINE FATHE RUSH,

Plaintiff,

v.

MARTIN J. O’MALLEY, Commissioner 

of Social Security,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:24-cv-00772-EPG

STIPULATION FOR THE AWARD AND 

PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES AND 

EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL 

ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT; ORDER

(ECF No. 19)

IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED by and between the parties through their undersigned counsel, 

subject to the approval of the Court, that Plaintiff be awarded attorney fees and expenses in the amount 

of $7,500.00, under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), and no costs under 

28 U.S.C. § 1920. This amount represents compensation for all legal services rendered on behalf of 

Plaintiff by counsel in connection with this civil action, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. §§ 2412(d), 

1920.

After the Court issues an order for EAJA fees to Plaintiff, the government will consider the 

matter of Plaintiff’s assignment of EAJA fees to counsel. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 

598, 130 S.Ct. 2521, 177 L.Ed.2d 91 (2010), the ability to honor the assignment will depend on 

whether the fees are subject to any offset allowed under the United States Department of the 

Treasury’s Offset Program. After the order for EAJA fees is entered, the government will determine 

whether they are subject to any offset.

Case 1:24-cv-00772-EPG Document 20 Filed 12/03/24 Page 1 of 3
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Fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the Department of the Treasury determines that 

Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of fees, expenses 

and costs to be made directly to Plaintiff’s counsel, Francesco Benavides, pursuant to the assignment 

executed by Plaintiff. Payments may be made by electronic fund transfer (EFT) or by check.

This stipulation constitutes a compromise settlement of Plaintiff’s request for EAJA attorney 

fees and does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of Defendant under the EAJA or 

otherwise. Payment of the agreed amount shall constitute a complete release from, and bar to, any 

and all claims that Plaintiff and/or Francesco Benavides, including the Law Offices of Francesco 

Benavides, may have relating to EAJA attorney fees in connection with this action. 

This award is without prejudice to the rights of Francesco Benavides to seek Social Security 

Act attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b), subject to the savings clause provisions of the EAJA.

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: December 2, 2024 Law Offices of Francesco Benavides

By: /s/ Francesco Benavides 

FRANCESCO P. BENAVIDES

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dated: December 2, 2024 PHILLIP A. TALBERT

United States Attorney

MATHEW W. PILE

Associate General Counsel

Social Security Administration

By: Erin Jurrens*

ERIN JURRENS

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney 

Attorneys for Defendant 

(*Permission to use electronic signature 

obtained via email on December 2, 2024). 

Case 1:24-cv-00772-EPG Document 20 Filed 12/03/24 Page 2 of 3
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ORDER

Based upon the parties’ Stipulation for the Award and Payment of Equal Access to Justice Act 

Fees and Expenses, IT IS ORDERED that fees and expenses in the amount of $7,500.00 as 

authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 2412, and no costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920, be awarded subject to the terms 

of the Stipulation.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 3, 2024 /s/

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:24-cv-00772-EPG Document 20 Filed 12/03/24 Page 3 of 3