Last days to claim a payment if you purchased beef in certain US states.
Consumers in 26 states and Washington D.C. They have until June 30 to claim part of an $87.5 million dollar settlement: we tell you what to do
Did you buy beef between 2014 and 2019? You are likely one of the beneficiaries of a payment that could be more than $2,000. All this, due to the compensation that two major meat companies in the United States agreed to pay to end a class action lawsuit. The bad news: time is ticking and you have only a few days left to claim the money.
The class action lawsuit was filed against some of the largest beef processors in the United States, including Tyson Foods and Cargill. The plaintiffs alleged that several companies collaborated to limit competition and increase the prices consumers paid at supermarkets and grocery stores.
Although the companies deny having committed irregularities, both accepted financial settlements to end the litigation. Tyson Foods agreed to contribute $55 million, while Cargill will contribute another $32.5 million, for a total of $87.5 million to be shared. Other companies named in the lawsuit, such as National Beef and JBS, are not part of this agreement at this time.
The amount that will be distributed is not unique, since the figure depends on the number of claimants and the amount of meat purchased. The deadline to submit the claim expires on June 30.
Who can file a claim?
The program is aimed at people who purchased certain cuts of fresh or frozen beef between August 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. The purchases must have been made for personal consumption and not for resale.
Eligible products include traditional cuts such as shoulder, loin, ribs and leg. However, there are several important exclusions. Products labeled USDA Prime, Wagyu, organic, grass-fed, kosher, halal, or antibiotic-free do not qualify. Processed products such as ground meat, marinated, seasoned, breaded, cooked or meat with added flavors are also not eligible.
In addition, the purchases must have been made in supermarkets or stores located in Washington D.C. or in one of the 26 states included in the agreement. Eligible states are:
How much money could consumers receive?
The final amount will depend on how many people submit a valid claim. The total fund of $87.5 million will first be reduced by legal fees, administrative expenses and other costs approved by the court.
Although some representatives of the lawsuit could receive payments of up to $2,000 for their participation in the case, compensation for the rest of the consumers will vary depending on the claims filed and the information provided in each application, such as the estimated amount of beef they purchased during the period covered by the lawsuit.
How to apply
Interested parties must complete a form by June 30, 2026. The claim can be submitted online or via a paper form mailed to the settlement administrator.
Applicants will need to estimate how many pounds of eligible beef they purchased each month and approximately how much money they spent on those products.
For now, it is not mandatory to present receipts or proof of purchase. However, the administrators of the agreement warn that they could request additional documentation in later stages of the process.
Payments will not be issued immediately. The money will be distributed only after the court grants final approval to the agreement and possible appeals are resolved. When that happens, you can choose between your payment in Amazon, Starbucks or Instacart gift cards, PayPal, Venmo or a physical check sent by mail.