How to file a class action settlement claim

This guide is about claiming money from a settlement that already exists. If you want to start a new lawsuit against a company, that is a different process, and you should speak with a lawyer.

Step 1: Confirm the settlement is real and open

Fake settlement emails and texts are common. Before you enter any information, make sure the settlement exists and is accepting claims. A real settlement is overseen by a court, has a case name and number, and is run by a settlement administrator. Its status should show that the court has given at least preliminary approval and that the claim deadline hasn’t passed.

Warning signs include requests for an upfront fee, pressure to act within hours, and requests for passwords or full card numbers. Our guide to spotting settlement scams covers what to check.

Step 2: Find the official settlement website

Each settlement has an official website run by the administrator. It hosts the notice, the full settlement agreement, important court documents, the claim form and contact details. Notices sent by email or mail usually name this website. Type the address yourself rather than clicking an unexpected link, and check that it matches the address in court documents or other trusted sources.

You can also start from Claim’s list of open settlements, which shows each settlement’s status, deadline and proof requirement.

Step 3: Read who qualifies

Find the class definition on the official site or in the notice. It explains who the settlement covers, which products or services are included, where you need to live and the class period (the dates that count). If you’re not sure whether you’re in the class, our guide on how to find settlements you may qualify for explains how to read it.

Also check whether there are subclasses. Some settlements pay different amounts to different groups, and you may need to choose the one that applies to you.

Step 4: Gather proof if the settlement asks for it

Some settlements require documentation; others accept claims without it, often up to a set limit. Proof can include:

• Receipts or order confirmation emails
• Bank or credit card statements showing the purchase
• Account statements, invoices or billing records
• Order history from a retailer or loyalty account
• The data breach notice letter, if the settlement is about a breach
• Records of out-of-pocket losses or time spent, if the settlement reimburses them

Need help tracking it down? See how to find proof of purchase. Keep copies of anything you upload.

Step 5: Fill out the claim form accurately

Most claim forms ask for your name, contact details, mailing address and, if you received a notice, your Class Member ID or claim number. You may be asked how many products you bought, during which dates, or which losses you had.

Answer only what is true. Claim forms are usually signed under penalty of perjury, and administrators screen for duplicate and fraudulent claims. Overstating a claim can get it rejected entirely. Submit one claim per person unless the instructions say otherwise.

Step 6: Choose how you want to be paid

Many settlements let you choose a payment method on the claim form. Common options include a paper check, direct deposit, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or a prepaid digital card. Electronic options can arrive sooner and are harder to lose in the mail. Make sure the email address or phone number you give matches your payment account exactly. If a service files the claim for you, ask which payment method and email it puts on the form.

Step 7: Save your confirmation

After you submit, you should get a confirmation number or email. Save it with a screenshot of your submitted form and copies of any documents you uploaded. If you move or change email addresses before payments go out, update your details with the administrator, because a payment sent to an old address can be lost.

What happens after you file a settlement claim?

Submitting a claim doesn’t mean you’ll be paid right away. Most settlements follow a similar path:

1. Final approval hearing. The judge decides whether the settlement is fair and gives final approval. This hearing is often scheduled around or after the claim deadline.
2. Appeals period. Anyone who objected may appeal the approval. An appeal can delay payments for months or longer.
3. Claim review. The administrator checks claims for eligibility and fraud. It may contact you if something is missing or unclear, so watch your email and mail.
4. Payment. Once the settlement is final and claims are reviewed, the administrator sends payments. Amounts often depend on how many valid claims were filed, so the final payment can be higher or lower than early estimates.

The official settlement website usually posts updates on approval and payment timing. For more on what to expect, see settlement payouts.

Should I opt out or object instead?

Filing a claim is one of three choices. You can also:

• Opt out (exclude yourself). You get no money from the settlement, but you keep your right to bring your own lawsuit about the same issue. There is a separate opt-out deadline.
• Object. You stay in the class and tell the court why you think the settlement is unfair. You can usually object and still file a claim, depending on the settlement’s terms.
• Do nothing. You give up your right to sue over the claims the settlement covers. In most settlements you get no payment unless you file a claim, though some pay identified class members automatically.

Opting out is a legal decision. If you’re considering it, speak with a lawyer. Claim does not give legal advice.

Can Claim help me file?

Claim is a website that helps you find class action settlements you may qualify for. For some settlements, Claim fills in the claim form from your answers and submits it to the settlement administrator in your name, online or by mail. For others, Claim links you to the official claim form so you can file it yourself. See how it works.