Opinion ID: 76054
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Collection of initial filing fee and remainder

Text: 10 Once the district court assesses an initial partial filing fee, the inmate is liable for its payment. See § 1915(b)(1). If the prisoner's account does not contain the full amount assessed as an initial partial filing fee, the inmate must ensure that any available portion of that initial fee is withdrawn from his account and transmitted to the clerk of the district court. See Hatchet, 201 F.3d at 653. Once the entire initial partial filing fee is paid pursuant to § 1915(b)(1), the PLRA requires that the prisoner make monthly payments equivalent to 20 percent of the preceding month's income credited to his or her account each time the balance exceeds $10, until the entire remainder of the filing fee is paid. Id. § 1915(b)(2). 6 11 Wilson argues that he is excused from payment of his initial partial filing fee of $7.16 because he lacks funds. According to § 1915(b)(1), the prisoner must pay the initial fee when funds become available. Even if the account contains less than $10, the inmate must pay to the clerk of the district court any and all existing funds up to and including the amount of the initial partial filing fee; the ten-dollar rule of § 1915(b)(2) applies only after the initial partial filing fee is paid. See Hatchet, 201 F.3d at 653. Once ordered to pay the $7.16, Wilson therefore was required to pay that amount as soon as funds became available. For example, if he had $7.16 in his account, he was required to pay the entire amount. If he had $5.00, he was required to pay $5.00, and to withdraw and pay funds from any subsequent deposits into his account up to and including $2.16. See id.; McGore, 114 F.3d at 606. Thus, Wilson would be excused from making payments on his initial partial filing fee only if his account balance was $0.00 and no further deposits were made to his account. After paying the entire initial partial fee, Wilson would be required to pay the entire $142.84 remainder of his filing fee ($150.00 total fee minus $7.16 initial partial fee), by making payments equal to 20 percent of the preceding month's income credited to his account each time the balance exceeded $10.00. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2); see also Hatchet, 201 F.3d at 653; McGore, 114 F.3d at 606.