E.D. Pa. L. Civ. R. 4.1.3

In civil actions filed against the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration pursuant to

§ 205(g) of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), service of the summons and complaint as

outlined in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(i) shall be by electronic means via th e Court’s

CM/ECF System.

(a) In cases where the filing fee has been paid and in cases where the plaintiff has been

granted leave to is proceed in forma pauperis, upon filing of the complaint by the

plaintiff, the Clerk of Court shall issue the summonses in accordance with Federal Rule

of Civil Procedure 4(i) by electronic means via CM/ECF upon the Commissioner, as

well as the United States Attorney General and the United States Attorney for the

Eastern District of Pennsylvania (“the United States”).

(1) Service is not considered effectuated until the date of the CM/ECF filing of the

complaint and issuance of the summonses, whichever is later (“Date of

Service”).

(2) Other filings and/or CM/ECF actions related to the filing of a complaint and/or

summons, including but not limited to an application for in forma pauperis, do

not constitute service. Only transmissions by the Clerk of the complaint or

summons constitutes initial service of the action for purposes of this Rule.

(b) The Clerk will ensure that CM/ECF notifications indicating that the complaint has been

filed, and summonses have been issued, are sent to the Commissioner and to the

United States.

(c) The Commissioner, within sixty (60) days of the Date of Service, shall file and serve

either a dis positive motion or the Certified Administrative Record, which shall be

deemed an answer (general denial) to the plaintiff’s complaint as outlined in Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 8(b)(3).