A Social Security claimant receives $7,300 in government-paid attorney fees.
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A Social Security claimant receives $7,300 in government-paid attorney fees.
Why it matters
In Lance v. Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Case No. 1:25-cv-00506-JR, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ordered the government to pay $7,300 in attorney fees to the plaintiff. The award was made under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) and was based on a stipulation agreed to by both parties, meaning no contested ruling was required.
Who it affects
- Her attorney
- Seeks attorney fees under the EAJA
What happens next
Current
Decision issued Aug 24, 2026
Next
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Parties can ask the same court to reconsider. Then: possible appeal to the circuit court.
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- Decision issued Aug 24, 2026
- Possible rehearingParties can ask the same court to reconsider.
- Possible appeal to the circuit court
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Decision issued
Aug 24, 2026
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DEEPER READ
The Equal Access to Justice Act allows people who win certain legal disputes against the federal government to recover their attorney fees from the government, rather than paying those fees themselves. In this case, plaintiff Veronica Y. Lance sued the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration in federal court in Oregon. The two sides reached an agreement, and the court issued an order on August 24, 2026, awarding Lance $7,300 in attorney fees under the EAJA. The order follows a rule established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Astrue v. Ratliff (2010), which held that EAJA fee awards belong to the plaintiff, not automatically to the plaintiff's attorney. Because of that rule, the court specified a conditional payment process: if the government confirms the plaintiff does not owe any federal debt, the check will be made out to her attorney, Katherine L. Eitenmiller of Wells, Manning, Eitenmiller and Taylor, P.C., in Eugene, Oregon. If the plaintiff does owe a federal debt, the government will first apply the award to offset that debt, and any remaining funds will be paid directly to the plaintiff. The order notes that no additional costs or expenses are to be paid. Because the award was based on a stipulation between the parties, the court did not issue a detailed legal opinion analyzing the merits of the underlying Social Security dispute. There is no dissent noted in the order.
CITATION AND RECORD
Record source: CourtListener
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON VERONICA Y. LANCE, Case No. 1:25-cv-00506-JR Plaintiff, ORDER FOR PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY FEES PURSUANT TO EAJA vs. COMMISSIONER, Social Security Administration, Defendant. Based upon the Stipulation of the parties, it is ORDERED that attorney fees in the amount of $7,300.00 are hereby awarded to Plaintiff, pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), 28 U.S.C. § 2412. Pursuant to Astrue v. Ratliff, 560 U.S. 586, 130 S. Ct. 2521, 2527 (2010), if the Commissioner confirms that Plaintiff owes no debt to the Government through the federal treasury offset program, payment of this award shall be made by check made payable and mailed to Plaintiff’s counsel, Katherine L. Eitenmiller, WELLS, MANNING, EITENMILLER & TAYLOR, P.C., 474 Willamette Street, Eugene, Oregon 97401. If Plaintiff has such debt, the check for any remaining funds after offset shall be made out to Plaintiff and mailed to counsel’s address provided above. There are no costs or expenses to be paid herein. Dated this 24th day of August, 2026. __/s_/_ J_o_li_e_ A__. _R_u_s_s_o________________________ JOLIE A. RUSSO United States Magistrate Judge Proposed Order submitted by: Katherine L. Eitenmiller WELLS, MANNING, EITENMILLER & TAYLOR, P.C. 474 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97401 (541)686-1969 keitenmiller@wmetattorneys.com Of Attorneys for Plaintiff
Sources
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