Opinion
CIVIL NO. 10-932-GPM.
November 22, 2010
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff's application to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 3). On November 19, 2010, Plaintiff filed this civil complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), seeking judicial review of the final decision by Defendant to deny her claim for disability insurance income benefits (Doc. 2).
A federal court is authorized under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) to permit an indigent party to proceed in a civil action without prepaying the filing fee if two conditions are met: (1) the petitioner is indigent and (2) the action is neither frivolous nor malicious. See, e.g., Smith-Bey v. Hospital Adm'r, 841 F.2d 751, 757-58 (7th Cir. 1981); Free v. United States, 879 F.2d 1535 (7th Cir. 1989). While in forma pauperis status generally applies to pro se litigants, Local Rule of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois 3.1(c)(1) contemplates that such status may be granted to an applicant who is represented by an attorney, as in this case. Under Local Rule 3.1(b), any person seeking leave to proceed in forma pauperis under 28 U.S.C. § 1915 shall submit an affidavit of poverty similar in form to the form affidavit used pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254.
In this case, the declaration supporting Plaintiff's application contains the requisite information and reveals that she is not presently employed; she was last employed in June 1999 earning $1,000 per month; in the last 12 months, she has received $210 per month in food stamps (and her husband receives $1,514 per month); she has $200 in a checking account and does not have additional savings; she owns a 1998 Dodge truck and owes $90,000 on a home worth $100,000; and she does not support any dependents. The Court finds Plaintiff to be indigent within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1).
As an additional matter, the Court has reviewed Plaintiff's complaint and finds that, at this time, the action does not appear to be frivolous or malicious. See Jones v. Morris, 777 F.2d 1277, 1279-80 (7th Cir. 1985) (holding that a complaint is deemed frivolous only if a petitioner can make no rational argument in law or facts to support his claim for relief).
For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff's motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis (Doc. 3) is GRANTED as to this Court only. The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to provide Plaintiff with a blank form of summons and three blank forms USM-285. Plaintiff is ORDERED to complete the form of summons and return it to the Clerk of Court. The Clerk of Court SHALL issue the completed summons. Unless service is waived pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d), the United States Marshal SHALL, in accordance with Rule 4(i), (1) personally or by registered or certified mail serve upon Defendant the summons, a copy of the complaint, and a copy of this Memorandum and Order; (2) personally or by registered or certified mail addressed to the process clerk, serve upon the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois copies of the summons, complaint, and this Memorandum and Order; and (3) by registered or certified mail, serve upon the Attorney General of the United States at Washington, D.C., copies of the summons, complaint, and this Memorandum and Order. All costs of service shall be advanced by the United States. Plaintiff is responsible for providing all necessary materials, including the appropriate number of USM-285 forms, and any necessary copies to the United States Marshal's Service. In completing the steps set forth above, Plaintiff is ADVISED pursuant to Rule 4(m) that this action will be dismissed without prejudice if service is not effected within 120 days of the date of this Memorandum and Order.
It is FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall serve upon Defendant, or upon Defendant's attorney if appearance has been entered by counsel, a copy of every further pleading or other document submitted for consideration by this Court. Plaintiff shall include with the original paper to be filed with the Clerk of Court a certificate stating the date that a true and correct copy of any document was mailed to Defendant or Defendant's counsel. Any paper received by a District Judge or a Magistrate Judge which has not been filed with the Clerk of Court or which fails to include a certificate of service will be disregarded by the Court.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: 11/22/10