Background

• Lynda Joan Folk, proceeding pro se, filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis (IFP) in the Eastern District of New York against Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General of the USPS.
• Folk indicated some income and cash on her application but omitted key required information, such as her employer's details and regular monthly expenses.
• In forma pauperis status allows litigants with limited financial resources to avoid paying filing fees.
• The district court found Plaintiff's application lacked sufficient financial disclosure to determine eligibility for IFP status.
• The court denied the IFP application without prejudice, allowing Folk to reapply using a more detailed form (Long Form), or to pay the $405.00 fee directly within two weeks.
• The court cautioned that any appeal of this order may not be taken in good faith and IFP status would be denied for appellate purposes.

Issues

Key Cases Cited

• Adkins v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331 (1948) (An affidavit is sufficient for IFP if it shows inability to pay due to poverty.)
• Coppedge v. United States, 369 U.S. 438 (1962) (IFP status for appeal requires a good faith basis.)