Automated Summary
Key Facts
On June 10, 2025, Plaintiff Stacey Masako Hayward filed an action seeking review of a final decision of the Commissioner of Social Security. The matter was remanded on November 26, 2025 for further proceedings pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). On December 17, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation with the court agreeing to award attorney's fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act in the amount of $8,200.00. The court adopted this stipulation on December 22, 2025.
Issues
- The court orders that attorney's fees be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the Department of Treasury's Offset Program determines Plaintiff owes a federal debt, the government shall cause payment to be made directly to Plaintiff's counsel, Francesco Paulo Benavides.
- The court adopts the parties' stipulation awarding Plaintiff attorney's fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) in the amount of $8,200.00, with no costs awarded under 28 U.S.C. § 1920.
Holdings
The court adopted the parties' stipulation awarding Plaintiff Stacey Masako Hayward attorney's fees and expenses of $8,200.00 under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The court ordered that no costs be awarded under 28 U.S.C. § 1920. The government will consider assigning the EAJA fees to Plaintiff's counsel, Francesco Paulo Benavides, subject to Treasury Offset Program considerations. The check will be mailed to Plaintiff's counsel at the Law Offices of Francesco at 1990 N. California Blvd., 8th Floor, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
Remedies
The court ordered that Plaintiff Stacey Masako Hayward be awarded attorney's fees and expenses in the amount of $8,200.00 pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d). No costs were awarded under 28 U.S.C. § 1920. The government will consider assigning the EAJA attorney's fees to Plaintiff's counsel, Francesco Paulo Benavides.
Legal Principles
The court adopted the parties' stipulation awarding attorney's fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $8,200.00. The order applies the Astrue v. Ratliff standard for fee assignment consideration and addresses potential offsets under the Treasury Department's Offset Program. No costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920 are awarded.
Precedent Name
Astrue v. Ratliff
Cited Statute
- Judicial Code
- Social Security Act
- Equal Access to Justice Act
Judge Name
Dena Coggins
Passage Text
- Fees shall be made payable to Plaintiff, but if the DOT determines that Plaintiff does not owe a federal debt, then the government shall cause the payment of attorney's fees to be made directly to Plaintiff's counsel, Francesco Paulo Benavides; and
- On December 17, 2025, the parties filed a stipulation with the court in which the parties agree that Plaintiff shall be awarded attorney's fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act ("EAJA"), 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), in the amount of $8,200.00, and no costs under 28 U.S.C. § 1920.
- Pursuant to the EAJA, 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d), Plaintiff is awarded attorney's fees and expenses in the amount of $8,200.00;