MEMORANDUM & ORDER Presently before the Court is pro se Plaintiff Lidia Orrego’s application to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). (ECF No. 2.) As explained below, Plaintiff’s financial status does not qualify her to commence this action without payment of the filing fee. See 28 U.S.C. §1915(a)(1). Accordingly, Plaintiff’s application to proceed IFP is DENIED. Plaintiff is directed to pay the $405.00 filing fee by January 30, 2025, for this case to proceed. To qualify for IFP status, the Supreme Court has long held that “an affidavit is sufficient which states that one cannot because of his poverty pay or give security for the costs [inherent in litigation] and still be able to provide himself and dependents with the necessities of life.” Adkins v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 335 U.S. 331, 339 (1948) (internal quotation marks omitted). “The federal in forma pauperis statute represents a significant effort to ensure the ability of impoverished litigants to prosecute meritorious claims or defenses without disadvantage.” Rosa v. Doe, 86 F.4th 1001, 1004 (2d Cir. 2023). Indeed, “[t]he purpose of the statute permitting litigants to proceed IFP is to insure that indigent persons have equal access to the judicial system.” Velasquez v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No. 24-CV-2035, 2024 WL 3202974, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. June 26, 2024) (quoting Davis v. NYC Dept. of Educ., No. 10-CV-3812, 2010 WL 3419671, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 27, 2010)). Determining whether an applicant qualifies for IFP status is within the discretion of the district court. See Rosa, 86 F.4th at 1007 (explaining IFP application denials are reviewed for abuse of discretion); Anderson v. Coughlin, 700 F.2d 37, 42 (2d Cir. 1983) (describing the “benefits” of granting district courts discretion for adjudicating IFP applications). The Court may dismiss a case brought by a plaintiff requesting to proceed IFP if the “allegation of poverty is untrue.” 28 U.S.C. §1915(e)(2)(A). Plaintiff reports that she is employed and earns monthly wages in the sum of $3,092 and that she has $1,556 “available for expenses.” (IFP Mot., ECF No. 2
