(SS) Stubblefield v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

12 Plaintiff Misty Stubblefield (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of a final decision of the 13 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 14 disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The matter is before 15 the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to the United States 16 Magistrate Judge. Docs. 16, 17. After reviewing the record the Court finds that substantial 17 evidence and applicable law do not support the ALJ’s decision.

II. Factual and Procedural Background2

19 On April 1, 2020 Plaintiff applied for disability insurance benefits alleging a disability onset 20 date of March 7, 2020. The application was denied initially on June 11, 2020 and on 21 reconsideration on July 20, 2020. Plaintiff requested a hearing which was held before an 22 Administrative Law Judge (the “ALJ”) on January 5, 2021. AR 35–51. On March 8, 2021 the ALJ 23 issued a decision denying Plaintiff’s application. AR 12–28. The Appeals Council denied review 24 on September 15, 2021. AR 1–6. On October 22, 2021 Plaintiff…