Stephen Sprinkle v. Carolyn Colvin

WILLIAMS, Circuit Judge.

Stephen Sprinkle, a social security disability claimant, sought an award of attorney’s fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (the “EAJA”). While the EAJA contains a presumptive rate cap of $125 an hour, courts may award enhanced fees where they are justified because of an increase in the cost of living. The district court found that Sprinkle was entitled to EAJA fees, but rejected his request for a cost-of-living enhancement on the ground that he failed to meet the stringent and difficult burden set out in Mathews-Sheets v. Astrue, 653 F.3d 560 (7th Cir.2011).…