(SS) Coronado v. Commissioner of Social Security, 2:24-cv-00474

Valentine Coronado, the plaintiff, filed a civil action in the Eastern District of California against the Commissioner of Social Security.
The underlying dispute resulted in Coronado being deemed the prevailing party, making him eligible for attorney's fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA).
The parties reached a stipulation for an award of $7,500.00 in attorney's fees and $0 in costs to be paid by the government.
The stipulated amount represents full compensation for legal services rendered in connection with this case.
The stipulation addressed the assignment and potential offset of EAJA fees in accordance with Astrue v. Ratliff and related Treasury Offset Program rules.
The court approved the stipulation and entered an order granting the agreed attorney's fees and costs to the plaintiff.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Award of EAJA attorney’s fees	Coronado is prevailing party, entitled to reasonable fees under EAJA	Position not substantially justified; no objection to stipulated amount	Attorney’s fees awarded to plaintiff, subject to Treasury Offset and stipulation terms
Assignment and payment of fees	Fees should be payable to attorney if assigned	Fees first payable to plaintiff, subject to offset and statutory restrictions	Fees payable to plaintiff, potentially to attorney if no offset and requirements waived
Admission of liability by government	None—stipulation as compromise	No admission of liability under EAJA or otherwise	Stipulation does not admit liability
Attorney's right to seek further fees	Retains right under 42 U.S.C. § 406(b)	No objection, subject to offset provisions	Attorney retains right to seek additional fees

Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586 (2010) (EAJA fees belong to the plaintiff and are subject to offset by federal debts)