We’ve talked a lot about the crazy high prices of meat, and now major chicken producers are having to pay back some of that to customers in a class action settlement. That’s because some of the U.S.’s top chicken producers were sued for allegedly tampering with the price of their meat.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Fieldale, George’s, Mar Jac, Peco, Pilgrim’s, and Tyson have agreed to pay a $181 million settlement. If you’re wondering who’s entitled to that money, the answer might be you. We’ll tell you everything we know about this lawsuit — including info about whether you’re in the affected “class” in this class action lawsuit and when you might get a payout.
We’re always on the lookout for the class action settlements that could owe you money, as well as all the ways to save money on meat.
If you purchased chicken between Jan. 1, 2009, and July 31, 2019, part of the $181 million settlement could be yours.
Who is eligible for the chicken settlement? You, if you were among those who purchased:
- Fresh or frozen raw whole chickens (with or without giblets)
- Fresh or frozen whole cut-up birds in a package
- Fresh or frozen “white meat” chicken parts (including breasts and wings)
- Chicken that isn’t marketed as halal, kosher, free range, or organic
And you bought them in these states between Jan. 1, 2009, and July 31, 2019:
- California
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Rhode Island (July 15, 2013 to July 31, 2019)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Wisconsin
File a claim online by the chicken settlement deadline, April 3.
If you qualify, visit OverchargedForChicken.com, a website set up to receive claims for the class action settlement.
There you’ll answer a few general questions about your chicken purchasing history — no receipts or proof of purchase needed — and provide your contact information.
Make sure to fill it out by April 3, 2023.
Don’t expect to get a ton of money; tens of millions of people will split the settlement payout.
Since tens of millions of Americans will qualify for this $181 million settlement, a $10 payout would probably be on the higher end of what you might expect.
We won’t really know, though, until all the claims are processed in 2023.
When will consumers receive settlement checks?
Although there’s no official payout date listed on the OverchargedForChicken.com website, claims will remain open through April 3, 2023, so at the very earliest, checks wouldn’t go out until mid-to-late 2023 — after all the claims have been processed.
When your claim gets approved, you’ll be able to choose whether to get your money digitally or via paper check.
Tell us what you think