Source: http://ks.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180723_0001084.DKS.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 18:09:48+00:00

Document:
KATHRYN H. VRATIL UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
Alma Delia Ibarra appealed the final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security to deny disability benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act (“SSA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq. and supplemental security income (“SSI”) benefits under Title XVI of the SSA. On September 21, 2016, pursuant to the fourth sentence of 24 U.S.C. § 405(g), the Court entered judgment reversing the Commissioner's decision and remanding the case for further proceedings. Judgment In A Civil Case (Doc. #33). On January 3, 2017, pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), the Court awarded plaintiff attorney's fees in the amount of $6, 900.00. Order Granting Attorney's Fees Under The Equal Access To Justice Act (EAJA) (Doc. #25). On January 10, 2018, the Social Security Administration notified plaintiff of a fully favorable decision on remand. See Memorandum In Support Of Motion For Attorney Fees (Doc. #37) filed May 21, 2018, Exhibits C and D. This matter comes before the Court on plaintiff's Motion For Approval Of Attorney Fees (Doc. #36) filed May 21, 2018.
On April 27, 2015, plaintiff and her attorney entered into a contingency fee agreement regarding representation in federal court. See Contingent Fee Agreement, Exhibit A to Memorandum In Support Of Motion For Attorney Fees (Doc. #37). The agreement provides that in the event benefits are awarded, subject to review, approval and/or modification by the court, counsel shall receive 25 per cent of all past due social security disability and SSI benefits. Id.
As noted, the Court previously entered judgment reversing and remanding the Commissioner's decision and awarded attorney's fees under the EAJA in the amount of $6, 900.00. Order Granting Attorney's Fees Under The Equal Access To Justice Act (EAJA) (Doc. #25).
We will continue to withhold the remainder, $10, 784.75[, ] in case your lawyer asks the Federal Court to approve a fee for the work that was done before the court.
Notice Of Award at 4, Exhibit B to Memorandum In Support Of Motion For Attorney Fees (Doc. #37).
Attorneys handling social security cases in court may seek fees under both the EAJA and the SSA. See McGraw v. Barnhart, 450 F.3d 493, 497 (10th Cir. 2006). The statutes provide two different types of fee awards which the c ourt determines separately. See id. (citing Frazier v. Apfel, 240 F.3d 1284, 1286 (10th Cir. 2001)). Under the EAJA, unless it finds that the government's position was “substantially justified” or that special circumstances make an award unjust, the Court may award fees based on a statutory maximum hourly rate of $125.00. 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). Fees awarded under the EAJA penalize the Commissioner for assuming an unjustified legal position and are paid from agency funds. See McGraw, 450 F.3d at 497 (citing Orner v. Shalala, 30 F.3d 1307, 1309 (10th Cir. 1994)); 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A) (EAJA fee awarded to prevailing party). As such, the government may offset fees awarded under the EAJA to satisfy a claimant's pre-existing debt to the government. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 589 (2010).
Under the SSA, the Court awards fees out of past-due benefits to satisfy a client's obligation to counsel. See 42 U.S.C. 406(b)(1)(A); McGraw, 450 F.3d at 497. In awarding fees under the SSA, the Court exercises discretion. Gordon v. Astrue, 361 Fed.Appx. 933, 935 (10th Cir. 2010). The Court determines such fees based on reasonableness, with a statutory maximum of 25 per cent of past-due benefits. See id. The Court may determine a reasonable fee based on a lodestar calculation or a contingency fee agreement between the attorney and client. See Gisbrecht v. Barnhart, 535 U.S. 789, 799-800 (2002). SSA fees are paid directly to counsel. See McGraw, 450 F.3d at 497; 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)(1) (SSA fee paid out of past-due benefits). If counsel receives fees under both the EAJA and the SSA, counsel must refund the smaller amount to plaintiff. See McGraw, 450 F.3d at 497-98 (citing Gisbrecht, 535 U.S. at 796; Weakley v. Bowen, 803 F.2d 575, 580 (10th Cir. 1986)).

References: § 405
 § 2412
 v. 
 v. 
 § 2412
 v. 
 § 2412
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 § 406
 v.