Hyaciathe v. Social Security

Background

Raoul Hyaciathe, who was representing himself, filed an action against “Social Security” and had been allowed to proceed without paying court fees in advance. In his complaint, he wrote “$900.00” in response to the question asking where the events occurred. He stated that he could not pay rent twice in one month and alleged that his landlord charged him rent twice for the same month.

Court’s analysis

The court applied the requirement in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8 that a complaint provide a short and plain statement showing why the plaintiff is entitled to relief. The court concluded that Hyaciathe’s complaint did not state facts suggesting that he was entitled to relief from Social Security. The allegations appeared to concern a dispute with his landlord instead.

Because Hyaciathe was representing himself, the court gave him an opportunity to correct the complaint. The court stated that an amended complaint must provide a short and plain statement of the relevant facts supporting each claim against each defendant, including the names and titles of relevant people, the relevant events and their approximate dates and locations, the injuries suffered, and the relief requested. The amended complaint will completely replace the original complaint, so any facts or claims Hyaciathe wants to preserve must be repeated in it.

Disposition

The court granted Hyaciathe 60 days’ leave to file an amended complaint that complies with the stated requirements. It directed him to submit the amended complaint to the court’s Pro Se Intake Unit, label it “Amended Complaint,” and include docket number 22-CV-1709. No summons would issue at that time. The court stated that if Hyaciathe failed to comply within the allowed period and could not show good cause for the failure, the complaint would be dismissed for failure to state a claim. The court also certified that an appeal would not be taken in good faith and denied fee-waiver status for purposes of an appeal.