(SS) Mendez v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

19 Plaintiff Brenda Mendez (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 20 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 21 supplemental security income pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act. The matter is 22 currently before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to 23 the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 13, 14 and 15. Having 24 reviewed the record as a whole, the Court finds that the ALJ’s decision is not supported by 25 substantial evidence and applicable law. 26 ///

1 The parties consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 7 and 8. II. Procedural Background On September 23, 2014, Plaintiff filed an application for supplemental security income alleging disability beginning February 26, 2014. AR 19. The Commissioner denied the application initially on May 18, 2015 and on reconsideration on November 20, 2015. AR 19. On December 14, 2015, Plaintiff filed a request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. AR 19. …