Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.

Cobell v. Salazar SettlementMore than 400,000 Native Americans from numerous tribal groups received an early Christmas present last week when the federal government began mailing them $1,000 checks under the landmark $3.4 billion Cobell v. Salazar class action lawsuit settlement.

The Cobell v. Salazar settlement was one of the largest class actions ever filed against the United States, and accused the government of mismanaging money owed to Native Americans under trust funds. The alleged mismanagement dated as far back as the 1880s.

The Indian trust class action settlement was originally settled in December 2009 and later approved by Congress in November 2010. An appeal was filed and the case was held up in court for nearly two years. In May 2012, an appeals court rejected the appeal and upheld the $3.4 billion Indian trust settlement as fair, reasonable and adequate.

On December 12, 2012, the court filed an order directing the Claims Administrator to commence distribution of payments to Class Members no later than December 24, 2012. However, there are thousands of eligible Class Members that have still not filed claims.

According to the Claims Administrator, nearly 40,000 Historical Accounting Class Members are shown as “whereabouts unknown,” and another 10,000 have no contact information in the records furnished by Interior. If you are a member of the Historical Accounting Class and are not currently receiving statements on your IIM account from the government, then you need to provide contact information to the Claims Administrator by calling 1-800-961-6109 or entering the information at www.IndianTrust.com.

In addition, the court has entered a final deadline for submission of claims for the Indian trust class action lawsuit settlement. Any claim forms must be postmarked by March 1, 2013. Claim Forms and more information on the Cobell v. Salazar Indian Trust Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found online at www.IndianTrust.com.

UPDATE 1: Second Cobell v. Salazar Settlement Checks Expected Early 2014.

UPDATE 2: More than 30,000 Class Members of the Cobell v. Salazar Indian trust class action settlement are still awaiting payments. Class Counsel explains why. 

UPDATE 3: According to the Settlement Administrator, the final round of payments from the Indian Trust settlement could be made in early Fall 2014.

UPDATE 4: A federal judge approved the distribution of payments to more than 15,000 Class Members whose records were missing from the Department of Interior. The first checks were mailed Sept. 15, 2014. Learn more.

UPDATE 5: If you were an Indian Trust beneficiary, you may be entitled to payment from a $3.4 billion class action settlement. More than 30,000 individuals could qualify for benefits from the Indian Trust settlement. Update your contact information and file a claim by Nov. 27, 2017 to get cash from this settlement.

We tell you about cash you can claim EVERY WEEK! Sign up for our free newsletter.


80 thoughts onCobell v. Salazar Indian Trust Settlement Checks Mailed!

  1. Francis L. Pierre says:

    When will I get an answer to my Questions

  2. Autumn Shaw says:

    I’ve sent in my claim form along time ago and still haven’t heard anything. What’s up? My younger brother got his payment, but I didn’t get mine! I have called and talked to who ever answered the call and still none of mine questions have been answered. I’m sick and tired of your song and dance. Where in the HELL is my money? You have had my correct address for over a year now! So where is it? Plus i filled out the conformation forms. What more do you want?

  3. larry says:

    where is my check

  4. Ruth Satre-Williams says:

    My children and I belong to the Cheyenne River sioux tribe, i was just inquiring about the checks that are to be sent out.

  5. Ruth Satre-Williams says:

    I live in Ohio but my children and I are enrolled in the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Just inquiring about checks being mailed to us.

  6. Joan says:

    Hope I hear from somebody, I am entitled to know when my money will come. I would love to hear from you Asap. Thank You for listening. Joan

  7. cecelia de la cruz says:

    i am wondering how do i go about getting information relating to the deceased settlement that i have inherited? my name is on the probate….hoping for a quick response,,,,

  8. Francis L. Pierre says:

    i know we hurt, but we must remember ,one brave lady warrior, whom i will always respect forever
    she can hear us

  9. roxanne bryant says:

    now who will respond to these questions i for one would like a legit answer trust me n i’m sure other enrolled members want the same n these symbols you want us to input is ridiculous are you for real please we native american indians are for real why do you make us look like we are not intelligent

  10. roxanne bryant says:

    it is so sad to hear these stories do we even question again the government or maybe our own tribal affiliation we as enrolled members who live off the rez do not get the same benefits as our people we need to speak up and let our voices be heard for we are enrolled members and i feel we are not notified of our rights outside of the rez i am a enrolled member of the minnesota chippewa eastern band white earth rez no i do not reside on the rez i am out of state and i am not happy that being an enrolled member do not reap the benefits that im entitled to so be it and let it be heard for all enrolled members who do not live on he rez

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. By submitting your comment and contact information, you agree to receive marketing emails from Top Class Actions regarding this and/or similar lawsuits or settlements, and/or to be contacted by an attorney or law firm to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you if you qualify. Required fields are marked *

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.