Opinion
Case No: 5:15-cv-328-Oc-18PRL
07-07-2015
CLARENCE A. BOWLING, Plaintiff, v. COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SECURITY Defendant.
Specific written objections may be filed in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636, and Rule 6.02, Local Rules, M.D. Fla., within fourteen (14) days after service of this report and recommendation. Failure to file timely objections shall bar the party from a de novo determination by a district judge and from attacking factual findings on appeal. --------
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. (Doc. 2). Plaintiff represents that he is unable to pay the fees and costs of pursuing this action and therefore requests that the Court authorize him to proceed in forma pauperis.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915, the Court "may authorize the commencement, prosecution or defense of any suit, action or proceeding . . . without prepayment of fees or security therefor, by a person who submits an affidavit that includes a statement of all assets." There is no monetary threshold or strict guideline for determining indigency. Rather, an affidavit supports a finding of indigency if it shows that "the litigant, because of his poverty, is unable to pay for the court fees and costs, and to support and provide necessities for himself and his dependents." Martinez v. Kristi Kleaners, Inc., 364 F.3d 1305, 1307 (11th Cir. 2004).
Here, based on the information disclosed in Plaintiff's Affidavit of Indigency (Doc. 3), it appears that Plaintiff is able to pay the $400 filing fee "and to support and provide necessities for himself and his" spouse. See id. Plaintiff states that he is currently unemployed and receives no income. His spouse, however, receives a monthly income of $2,500. See Trimble v. Volz, 2008 WL 4490181, at *3 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 30, 2008) (explaining that a court can consider the plaintiff's spouse's income in ruling on a motion to proceed in forma pauperis). Plaintiff and his spouse have a total of $1,616.56 in monthly obligations, comprised of a mortgage, utilities expenses, a car payment, and credit card debt. (Docs. 2 & 3).
In light of the fact that Plaintiff's monthly income exceeds his monthly obligations, he has not met his burden of showing that he does not have the money to pay the $400 filing fee associated with pursuing this action. See Irvin v. Mister Car Wash, 2008 WL 5412217, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 29, 2008) (denying a motion to proceed in forma pauperis where the plaintiff's monthly income exceeded his monthly obligations); Brown v. Ross, 2007 WL 4206810, at *1 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 27, 2007) (same).
Accordingly, upon due consideration, the Court recommends that Plaintiff's Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Doc. 2) be DENIED.
Recommended in Ocala, Florida on July 7, 2015.
/s/_________
PHILIP R. LAMMENS
United States Magistrate Judge
Copies furnished to: Presiding District Judge
Counsel of Record
Unrepresented Party
Courtroom Deputy