Corinne Crystal Woodland v. Frank Bisignano

Summary

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida grants Corinne Crystal Woodland’s unopposed motion for $9,987.69 in attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The court finds that Woodland is the prevailing party following a sentence-four remand of her Social Security case and explains that the fees may be offset against any federal debt, subject to her assignment of the fees to counsel.

Holdings

1. Woodland was entitled to $9,987.69 in attorney's fees under the EAJA because she was the prevailing party, the Commissioner's position was not substantially justified, and the unopposed fee request was reasonable.
2. The EAJA award may be offset to satisfy Woodland's pre-existing debt to the United States; if she has no qualifying federal debt, the United States will accept her assignment of the EAJA fees and pay them directly to counsel.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Woodland was entitled to an award of $9,987.69 in attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
2. Whether an EAJA fee award should be paid directly to Woodland's counsel under her assignment, subject to offset for any qualifying federal debt.

Disposition

other