What is the standard for a judge to grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis?

It is true that a district judge must make a similar determination in deciding whether to grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis. Orders denying such leave are appealable. Lipscomb v. United States, 301 F.2d 905 (9th Cir. 1962). The involvement with the merits in the in forma pauperis situation, however, is slight. The standard is merely whether the plaintiff's case is frivolous or malicious. 28 U.S.C. 1915(d); Torres v. Garcia, 444 F.2d 537 (9th Cir. 1971).