JENNIFER L. THURSTON, Magistrate Judge.
Amanda Lopez-Frausto seeks to proceed in forma pauperis with an action for judicial review of the administrative decision denying an application for Social Security benefits. Pending before the Court are the complaint and the motion to proceed in forma pauperis. (Docs. 1, 2) For the following reasons, the Court finds service of the complaint is appropriate.
The Court may authorize the commencement of an action without prepayment of fees "by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets such person . . . possesses [and] that the person is unable to pay such fees or give security therefor." 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). The Court reviewed the financial status affidavit (Doc. 2), and finds the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a) are satisfied. Therefore, Plaintiff's request to proceed in forma pauperis is
When an individual seeks to proceed in forma pauperis, the Court is required to review the complaint and shall dismiss a complaint, or portion of the complaint, if it is "frivolous, malicious or fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted; or . . . seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief." 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b); 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2). A plaintiff's claim is frivolous "when the facts alleged rise to the level of the irrational or the wholly incredible, whether or not there are judicially noticeable facts available to contradict them." Denton v. Hernandez, 504 U.S. 25, 32-33 (1992).
General rules for pleading complaints are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. A pleading must include a statement affirming the court's jurisdiction, "a short and plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to relief; and . . . a demand for the relief sought, which may include relief in the alternative or different types of relief." Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a).
A complaint must give fair notice and state the elements of the plaintiff's claim in a plain and succinct manner. Jones v. Cmty. Redevelopment Agency, 733 F.2d 646, 649 (9th Cir. 1984). The purpose of the complaint is to give the defendant fair notice of the claims against him, and the grounds upon which the complaint stands. Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N.A., 534 U.S. 506, 512 (2002). The Supreme Court noted,
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79 (2009) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). Vague and conclusory allegations do not support a cause of action. Ivey v. Board of Regents, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir. 1982). The Court clarified further,
Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679 (citations omitted). When factual allegations are well-pled, a court should assume their truth and determine whether the facts would make the plaintiff entitled to relief; legal conclusions are not entitled to the same assumption of truth. Id. The Court may grant leave to amend a complaint to the extent deficiencies of the complaint can be cured by an amendment. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127-28 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc).
Plaintiff seeks review of a decision by the Commissioner of Social Security denying disability benefits. (Doc. 1) The Court may have jurisdiction pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), which provides:
Id. Except as provided by statute, "[n]o findings of fact or decision of the Commissioner shall be reviewed by any person, tribunal, or governmental agency." 42 U.S.C. § 405(h).
Plaintiff alleges the Appeals Council denied a request for review of the decision denying benefits on June 19, 2017, at which time the decision of the administrative law judge became the final decision of the Commissioner. (Doc. 1 at 2) Plaintiff's request for judicial review was due within 65 days of the date of Appeals Council's notice, or no later than August 23, 2017. See 42 U.S.C. §405(g) (noting a claimant is "presumed" to have received the notice of denial within "5 days after the date of such notice"). Because Plaintiff filed a complaint on August 16, 2017, the request for judicial review of the decision is timely, and the Court has jurisdiction over the matter pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g).
Plaintiff's complaint states a cognizable claim for review of the administrative decision denying Social Security benefits. Based upon the foregoing, the Court
IT IS SO ORDERED.
The court has issued an order granting your application to proceed without prepayment of fees and directing that service of process be made by the United States Marshal. You must provide the clerk's office with the following:
The original Summons and one copy of the service order is for the U.S. Marshal Service. The original Summons will be filed with the court following the service of a copy of the Summons and Complaint on the defendant(s). One set of documents (Summons, Complaint, Service Order and any additional documents) will be served on the U.S. Attorney, one set will be served on the Commissioner of Social Security, two sets will be served on the U.S. Attorney General, and one set will be retained by the U.S. Marshal Service. Please include an additional set of documents and a USM-285 form for any additional Federal employee or agency who is named as a defendant in your action.
Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's order filed __________________.
Please type or print legibly, insuring readability of all copies. DO NOT DETACH ANY COPIES. Submit one complete set of this form (USM-285) and one copy of each writ for each individual, company, corporation, etc., to be served or property to be seized or condemned. The applicable fees for such service(s) (T28, USC Sec. 1921 establishes the fees for service of process by the U.S. Marshal) may be required prior to said service.
For service of any process upon an officer or agent of the United States Government, submit a copy of the writ and a set of Form USM-285 for each officer or agent upon whom service is desired. Submit three (3) additional copies of the writs for service upon the Government of the United States. The U.S. Marshal will serve one (1) upon the U.S. Attorney and will forward two (2) to the Attorney General of the United States. (When the applicable box is checked, completion of the final signature block by the U.S. Marshal or his Deputy always certifies service on the U.S. Attorney and the Attorney General, regardless of whether other defendants on the writ were served.) Failure to provide any of the copies will delay service of the writ.
Complete all entries above the double line. Mark all applicable check boxes and use the "Special Instructions" to advise of any information that will assist the U.S. Marshal in expediting service.
If more than one writ and USM-285 is submitted on a single case, the U.S. Marshal will receipt for all of them on the first USM-285. You will receive for your records the last (No. 5) "Acknowledgment of Receipt" copy for all the USM-285 forms you submit. When the writ is served, you will receive the No. 3 Notice of Service copy. This copy will be identical to the return to the Clerk of the Court.
Upon completion of all services (if the Marshals fees were not requested or tendered in advance or if additional fees are indicated), you will receive a "Billing Statement" (copy 4 of USM-285) from the United States Marshal. (NOTE: Copy 4 should be returned, by you, to the U.S. Marshal, together with your payment of the amount owed.
Additional supplies of the USM-285 may be obtained from the Clerk of the U.S. District Court or U.S. Marshal, without cost.
