Andrews v. Social Security Administration

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO CIARA P. ANDREWS, Plaintiff, v. Civ. No. 25-00986 KG/KK FRANK BISIGNANO, Commissioner of Social Security, Defendant. ORDER GRANTING UNOPPOSED MOTION FOR ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT The Court, having reviewed the parties’ Unopposed Motion for Attorney Fees Pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (“EAJA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2412 (Doc. 25), HEREBY ORDERS that attorney fees be, and hereby are, awarded under the EAJA, payable to Plaintiff but mailed to Plaintiff’s attorney in the amount of $6,577.80 in attorney fees. See Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010) (EAJA fees are paid to the prevailing party, not the attorney). IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT, if Plaintiff’s counsel receives attorney fees under both the EAJA and 42 U.S.C. § 406(b) of the Social Security Act, Plaintiff’s counsel shall refund the smaller award to Plaintiff pursuant to Weakley v. Bowen, 803 F.2d 575, 580 (10th Cir. 1986). /s/Kenneth J. Gonzales___________________ CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE • Please note that this document has been electronically filed. To verify its authenticity, please refer to the Digital File Stamp on the NEF (Notice of Electronic Filing) accompanying this document. Electronically filed documents can be found on the Court’s PACER public access system. SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY: Filed Electronically 7/31/2026 Laura J. Johnson Attorney for Plaintiff Armstrong Johnson Law, LLC Electronically Approved 7/23/2026 Allan Berger Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Office of Program Litigation Office of the General Counsel Social Security Administration