How to file a settlement claim
Filing a settlement claim is free and usually takes a few minutes. Here is how it works, from finding a settlement to getting paid.
- Find an open settlement that may cover you.
- Check who qualifies in the class definition on the official site.
- File on the official claim site before the deadline. Filing is free.
- Save your confirmation and check the official site for payment updates.
What does a settlement mean?
A settlement is an agreement that ends a lawsuit brought on behalf of a group of people, called the class. The company usually pays money into a fund, and people in the group can claim a share. The company usually does not admit wrongdoing. A court has to approve the settlement before anyone is paid.
How do I find settlements I qualify for?
Start with any settlement notice you got by email or mail. You can also browse lists of open settlements, like ours, which shows cash settlements by deadline with a short checklist for each. News stories are another source, and for FTC cases the FTC lists its refund programs at ftc.gov/refunds. Wherever you hear about a settlement, file only on its official settlement website.
See open settlements by deadline.
How do I know if I am owed money from a settlement?
Each settlement has a class definition that says who is covered, usually based on what you bought or used, where you lived and when. Read it on the official settlement website. If the company has your contact details, you may get a notice by email or mail, but many settlements let you file without one. The settlement administrator and the court decide who is eligible.
How do I file a claim for a settlement?
File on the official settlement website, which is run by a court-appointed settlement administrator. The notice, the court papers and our settlement pages link to it. Most claims can be filed online, and many also accept a paper form by mail. Some settlements ask for a Claim ID or PIN printed on your notice. You usually give your name and contact details, answer a few questions about why you are covered, choose how to be paid, and sign a statement that your answers are true. Filing is free.
What proof do I need to file a claim?
It depends on the settlement. Many pay a basic amount without receipts and ask only for a signed statement. Higher payment options, such as repayment of documented losses, usually need proof like receipts or account records. The administrator may ask for more information later. Give only what the official claim form asks for, and keep copies of what you send.
What happens if I miss the claim deadline?
Usually you get no payment, and you are still bound by the settlement unless you opted out. Deadlines are strict. Online claims are often due by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date, and mailed forms usually must be postmarked by that date. Check the exact rule on the official site. Deadlines to opt out or object are often earlier than the claim deadline.
Is it worth it to file a claim?
Often, yes. Filing is free and usually takes a few minutes. If you are covered and do nothing, you usually give up the right to sue over the same issue anyway, and get no money. Payments vary a lot from one settlement to another and depend on how many people claim. If you want to keep your right to sue on your own, read the opt-out instructions instead and consider talking to a lawyer.
How long does it take to get paid from a settlement?
Payments usually go out only after the court gives final approval and any appeals are over. That is often months after the claim deadline, and appeals can add a year or more. Depending on the claim form, you may be paid by check or by an electronic option. Any amount you see before then is an estimate. The final amount is set by the administrator and can be higher or lower, for example if more people claim than expected. Check the official site for updates.
How can I tell if a settlement notice or website is real?
A real notice names the case, the court and the settlement administrator, and the official website shows the deadline, the class definition and court documents. To be safe, type the website address yourself or find it in the court papers instead of clicking a link. A real settlement never charges a fee to file or to get paid, and never asks for your online banking password. Be wary of anyone who contacts you offering to file for a fee or pressures you to act right away. You can report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
More from the FTC: refund and recovery scams and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. The court appoints lawyers, called class counsel, to represent everyone in the class, and their fees are paid from the settlement fund if the court approves them. You can hire your own lawyer at your own expense if you want one.
Do I have to pay taxes on a settlement payment?
It depends. The IRS says the key question is what the payment is meant to replace. For example, payments for lost wages are generally taxable, while payments for physical injuries generally are not. Your situation matters, so ask a tax professional if you are not sure.
Source: IRS Publication 4345, Settlements: Taxability.
Filing your claims for you is coming soon in the Settlement Sidekick app (Android app, coming soon to Google Play). This website only lists settlements and links to the official claim pages. When filing launches, Penny will fill in the official claim form with your own answers, and nothing will be filed without your OK.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Settlement Sidekick is not a law firm. Last reviewed .