How to File a Class Action Claim (Step-by-Step Guide 2026)

Millions of dollars in class action settlement money goes unclaimed every year. The reason is simple: most people don't know they're eligible, and those who do often find the filing process confusing. This guide breaks down exactly how to file a class action claim, step by step, so you can collect the money you're owed.

What Is a Class Action Claim?

A class action claim is a request you submit to receive your share of a class action settlement. When a company loses or settles a lawsuit, the court sets aside money to compensate people who were affected. Filing a claim is how you tell the settlement administrator that you qualify and want your payout.

The important thing to understand is that filing a claim is almost always free. You never need to hire a lawyer, and most claims take less than five minutes to complete. If you want a deeper understanding of how the entire process works, check out our guide on what a class action settlement is.

How to Know If You Qualify

Each settlement has its own eligibility requirements. These are typically based on:

• What you purchased — Did you buy a specific product or use a particular service during a defined time period?
• Where you live — Some settlements are limited to certain states or countries.
• When — Settlements specify a date range. For example, you may need to have purchased a product between January 2019 and December 2024.
• Whether you were affected — Data breach settlements require that your information was part of the breach.

The good news: many settlements cast a very wide net. If you're a regular consumer in the United States, you likely qualify for several open settlements right now. You can take our free quiz to quickly find which ones match your profile.

Step 1: Find Open Settlements

The first step is finding settlements that are currently accepting claims. There are a few ways to do this:

• Use a settlement directory — Sites like FileYourClaim.co curate active settlements in one place, making it easy to browse what's available.
• Check your email — Settlement administrators often email class members directly. These emails can end up in spam, so check those folders.
• Search court records — Federal and state courts publish settlement notices, though these can be difficult to navigate without legal training.

We recommend starting with our complete list of open settlements for 2026, which we update weekly.

Step 2: File Your Claim

Once you've found a settlement you qualify for, here's how to actually file:

1. Visit the official settlement website — Every legitimate settlement has an official claims website run by the settlement administrator. We link directly to these from our listings.
2. Read the eligibility requirements — Confirm you meet the criteria before starting your claim.
3. Fill out the claim form — Most forms ask for your name, mailing address, email address, and sometimes proof of purchase.
4. Submit any required documentation — Some claims require receipts, order confirmations, or screenshots. Many settlements, however, require no proof at all. See our list of no-proof settlements for the easiest ones to file.
5. Submit and save your confirmation — Always save your confirmation number or email. You may need it to check the status of your claim later.

What Happens After You File

After you submit your claim, the settlement administrator reviews it. Here's what the typical timeline looks like:

1. Claim review period — The administrator verifies your information. This can take weeks to months depending on the settlement.
2. Final approval — The court must give final approval of the settlement before any payments go out. If objections are filed, this can delay the process.
3. Payment distribution — Once approved, payments are sent by check, direct deposit, PayPal, or Venmo depending on the settlement.

How Long Does It Take to Get Paid?

This is the most common question we hear, and unfortunately the answer varies widely. Here are general timeframes:

• Fast settlements — Some no-proof claims pay out within 2-4 months of filing.
• Average settlements — Most take 6-12 months from the filing deadline to payment.
• Complex cases — Large settlements (like data breach cases) can take 12-24 months or longer, especially if there are appeals.

The key is to file early and be patient. Once you've submitted your claim, there's nothing else you need to do except wait. Want to know what kind of payouts to expect? Read our breakdown of how much money you can get from a class action settlement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping thousands of people file claims, we've seen the same mistakes come up again and again:

• Missing the deadline — Every settlement has a strict filing deadline. Once it passes, you cannot file. Set a reminder or use our claim tracker to stay on top of deadlines.
• Providing incomplete information — Fill out every required field on the claim form. Incomplete claims get rejected.
• Ignoring settlement emails — Legitimate settlement notices can look like spam. Check your junk folder regularly.
• Filing duplicate claims — Submitting multiple claims for the same settlement can result in all of them being rejected.
• Falling for scams — Legitimate settlements never ask you to pay a fee to file. If someone asks for money, it's a scam.
• Not saving confirmation — Always screenshot or save your confirmation number in case you need to follow up.

Frequently Asked Questions