Kimberly J. Williams v. Commissioner of Social Security

Summary

The United States District Court for the District of Nebraska ordered the plaintiff to show cause why her Social Security case should not be dismissed. The court cited her failure to pay the filing fee, obtain in forma pauperis status, and comply with a prior order, and set a February 17, 2026 deadline.

Holdings

1. An in forma pauperis application must include the required affidavit or verified declaration of the facts supporting the application; the plaintiff's one-page, unverified motion was deficient.
2. A case may be dismissed absent good cause when the plaintiff neither pays the filing fee nor obtains leave to proceed in forma pauperis and also fails to comply with the court's order.

Questions Presented

1. Whether a plaintiff who has neither paid the filing fee nor obtained approval to proceed in forma pauperis may be required to show cause why the action should not be dismissed.
2. Whether the plaintiff's failure to comply with the court's order to refile a deficient in forma pauperis motion supports potential dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).

Disposition

other