WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

On November 21, 2025, the Special Master issued a detailed Report and Recommendation requesting Court approval to distribute Flint Water Settlement money. This Report describes the settlement process, including how individual claims have been reviewed, how individual payments are determined, and how those payments will be made under the terms of the Settlement Agreement. ​

 

You can access the full Report HERE.

 

​​On December 5, 2025, the Court entered an Order adopting the Special Master’s Report and Recommendation. You can access a copy of the Order HERE.​

 

The Court’s Order authorizes the Special Master to begin the process of distributing payments to claimants on a rolling basis. As explained below, the first set of payments will be distributed to claimants who have an approved residential property damage claim and do not have any other approved claim. This distribution includes only claims approved for a property where there is no other claimant approved for the same property.

 

Payment Process and Timing

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1. Who is eligible to receive payment?

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Payments will be made to individuals or businesses that filed a timely claim in the settlement and whose claim has been approved. If you did not file a claim, you will not be eligible for a payment.

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2. When will I receive settlement money? How will I receive my payment?

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Each person who has already received a Notice or Decision approving their claim will next receive an official written Award Notice.

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The Award Notices will be issued on a rolling basis. The first Award Notices and payments will be for claimants who have been approved only for Residential Property Damage claims (Category 28) and who do not have a property that is ‘shared’ with another claimant. These Award Notices will be sent the week of December 8. There are approximately 7,000 claims in this first batch. Additional Award Notices will then be issued on a rolling basis.​

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If you have an eligible claim and are represented by a lawyer, you will receive your Award Notice through your lawyer. If you are not represented, you will receive your Award Notice in the mail. ​

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After you receive your Award Notice, you can access the official Flint Water Settlement Payment Portal to select how you will receive your funds. Each Award Notice includes a unique ID Code and information about how to log on so you can access your payment in a secure and safe manner through the Flint Water Settlement Payment Portal (website). The Payment Portal is “live” as of December 12, 2025 for those who have received an Award Notice. That means that when you receive your ID Code – you can log onto the payment portal and select how you would like to receive your payment. ​

 

Whoever has access to your individual ID Code could try to obtain your settlement payment, so do not share it with anyone who is not authorized to assist you in the settlement.

 

3. If I do not have a residential property only claim, when will I receive payment?​

 

Claimants who have property claims along with other claims, or property claims that are ‘shared’ with other claimants (meaning more than one claimant made an authorized claim for the same property) will be the next batch of payments. Again, these payments will be only for the Category 28 residential property claims.​

 

4. I have not heard whether my property claim is approved because I submitted a reconsideration or appeal. When will I get a payment if I am approved?​

 

The payments will go out on a rolling basis. As more property claims are approved, those Award Notices will be sent and those claimants will be able to log on to the payment portal site to get their payment.

 

​5. I heard that letters would be sent the week of December 8, but I have not received a letter. What should I do?

 

​If you have a lawyer, please contact your lawyer’s office. If you are not represented by a lawyer, you may call 888-893-7470 for more information. It is possible that your claim was not in the first batch of payments. If your address has changed since you received your notice letter advising you that your claim was approved, the Award Notice could have been sent to your former address. If that is the case, the Award Notice will be re -mailed once we have your new address.​

 

6. What is the amount of the payment for residential property claims?​

 

The settlement set a limit on the amount to be paid for these property claims. The settlement limits the amount to $1,000 per parcel of property. That means that if you have two eligible properties you could get $1,000 for each. It also means that if you and another person are eligible for the same property, you will share the award and each of you will get half. ​

 

Payment Options

 

7. How will payments be sent to adult claimants?

 

Your Award Notice will include an ID code assigned to you only. No one else will have the same code. Your Award Notice will explain how to log onto the Flint Water Payment Portal so that you can choose how you would like to receive your settlement monies.

 

There are two options for receiving your payment:

​(1) Electronic transfer (either Direct Deposit to your bank account or to Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal); or (2) Check.

 

Please note: an electronic transfer that deposit monies directly into your account is the quickest and most secure way to receive your payment.

 

For those who need a check: You will be able to use the Payment Portal to elect to receive a check payment. If you elect this option, you will be advised when your check is ready for pick up. You will be able to pick up the check at the check distribution center located at 4813 Clio Road, Flint. You must pick up the check personally. You cannot send someone else to pick up your settlement check. Security will be provided. You must bring two forms of current identification, one of which must be a valid photo ID (for example, current driver’s license).

 

8. What if I don’t have a computer or device that I can use to log on to the Payment Portal?​

 

Computer access at the Flint Public Library

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For individuals who do not have access to a computer to get on the website, the Flint Public Library will make its computers available by appointment. Call Guardian Ad Litem Miriam Wolock at (248) 633-2630 or email mwolock@wolocklaw.com to schedule a time to use the Flint Public Library computers.

 

Phone Number to Call if You Cannot Access the Portal.

 

 

If you do not have access to any device and cannot use the library computers, you may call the Distribution Administrator (Epiq) 1-888-893-7470 for assistance.

 

9. What if I cannot get to the check distribution site to pick up a check?

 

If you need to receive payment by check but are not able to get to the distribution site (for example, because of a medical condition or because you no longer live in the Flint area), please call 888-893-7470. The Distribution Administrator will arrange to send your check to you.

 

10. What should I do if I do not receive an award letter?

 

If you were approved for a residential property claim (also called a Category 28 claim) you may call 888-893-7470 for information.

 

If you are not represented by an attorney and if you moved since the time when you last received a notice letter you will need to update your contact information so that the Award Notice can be mailed to you. Please call 888-893-7470 to update your address and any other contact information.​

 

11. What if I don’t have a bank account and can’t use an electronic transfer?

 

​Even if you do not have a bank account you can still choose to receive a check. The checks will be issued from Huntington Bank and that bank will cash your check free of charge. You can go to a Huntington Bank branch and cash the check.​

 

12. How will payments be sent to minor claimants (under age 18 at time of payment) and adults who are disabled and who receive SSI benefits?

 

Michigan law and the terms of the settlement impose requirements on how minors (children) may receive their settlement. A legally authorized representative (for example parent, guardian, or court-appointed representative) for each minor or legally incapacitated adult must select one of the options below. Additional information will be available for each option. This is only a summary – and additional information will be provided at a later date.​

 

Option 1: Structured Settlement​

 

The settlement money is used to purchase an annuity contract that pays out fixed, guaranteed payments on a schedule that the legally authorized representative selects. If you choose this option, the funds are transferred directly to the annuity company approved by the Court. Future payments are made directly to the child after the child becomes an adult on the schedule you pick. The child’s legally authorized adult representative will have 6 pay-out options to choose from. Because the child’s settlement is invested for him/her, the total pay out to the child when he/she is an adult is greater than the original settlement award. These payments are guaranteed in amount. These types of structured settlement payments are not taxable. Once a structured settlement option is finalized, the amount and timing of payments cannot be changed, even by a court. You cannot access the money in the structure account before the scheduled payment dates. If the child has an immediate need for monies, you can elect a $5,000 up front payment to benefit the child and put the rest in the annuity (structure).

 

Option 2: Pooled Preservation Trust

 

​In this option, the settlement money is transferred into a Trust that has been set up and court-approved for children in the Flint Water Settlement. Each child has his or her own Trust account that is managed by Huntington Bank. Huntington Bank is under court oversight. The child’s legally authorized representative selects this option by signing a Joinder Agreement. You can apply to Huntington Bank for trust distributions at any time (including before a child is 18) if such distribution is for the child’s support, education, and welfare. When the child becomes an adult, the remaining trust funds are paid directly to him/her. Huntington Bank is responsible for investing Trust funds for the benefit of the minors. Interest earned on each child’s settlement is taxable (which depends on individual circumstances). As Trustee, Huntington Bank issues regular written reports to the child’s legal representative and to the Court. ​

 

Option 3: Special Needs Pooled Trust

 

​A claimant who is disabled and received public assistance benefits (for example a claimant who receives SSI social security disability benefits) may have the funds paid directly into a Special Needs Pooled Trust that has been established and court-approved for the Flint Water Settlement. Settlement funds deposited into this Special Needs Trust will not be counted as an individual’s income or assets, and that will protect the claimant’s eligibility for continued public assistance benefits. This Special Needs Pooled Trust works similarly to the Pooled Trust described above in that a separate account is created and held for the benefit of a disabled child or adult. That individual’s legally authorized representative selects the Special Needs Pooled Trust by signing this Joinder Agreement. ​

 

Payment Amounts & Expectations​

 

13. Who decides how much money each person gets, and how is it decided?

 

The amount depends on a Court-approved formula in the settlement agreement that considers age, exposure, and (generally) proof of injury (lead levels or certain medical conditions). Payments will be made only to those claimants who have an approved claim.

 

14. Are people getting very large payments?

 

The total $626 million initial fund plus net income earned on the funds is divided among tens of thousands of claimants. Payments will vary widely and many will be modest. Rely only on official updates, not social media or unverified rumors.

 

15. What determines the amount of money each person receives?

 

The distribution was negotiated by lawyers from both sides and then approved by the Judge to ensure it was fair and followed the law. The Court-approved the allocation of the total settlement fund to claimant groups:

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Children 6 and under at the time of the water crisis are allocated: 64.5%

Children ages 7–11 at the time of the water crisis are allocated: 10%

Children ages 12–17 at the time of the water crisis are allocated: 5%

Adults at the time of the water crisis with eligible injury are allocated: 15%

Residential property damage claims are allocated: 3% (up to $1,000/property)

Business loss claims are allocated: 0.5% (up to $5,000/business)

Programmatic relief is allocated: 2% (already paid to Genesee County schools)​

 

16. Why do children get more than adults?

 

The court appointed liaison counsel and class counsel and sub class counsel negotiated the allocation to various types of claimants (adults, children, businesses, property owners). The Court’s opinion approving the settlement allocation says:

 

“This distribution recognizes that those who were exposed to contaminated Flint Water at a younger age will experience [more] harm than older people. The World Health Organization states: ‘Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning because they absorb 4–5 times as much ingested lead as adults from a given source.’ Lead Poisoning and Health, (Aug. 23, 2019) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health [https://perma.cc/2X4P-MCMS]. It is fair, reasonable, and adequate to award a greater proportion of settlement funds to those who are most vulnerable to the effects of lead and other contaminants.”

 

17. When will I know my exact dollar amount? ​

 

When you get your Award Notice you will be able to enter the payment portal to see your exact dollar amount.

 

Additional Information​

 

18. Will the settlement money affect Medicaid, SNAP, or housing benefits in Michigan?​

 

No, these government benefits will not be affected by the settlement. The State of Michigan has determined that the benefits described HERE, which include Medicaid, SNAP and Section 8 housing.

 

​19. What if I move?

 

You must promptly provide all changes of address, telephone number, and e-mail by calling the Distribution Administrator at 1-888-893-7470. Failure to do so may result in delayed payment.

 

20. What if someone dies before receiving payment?

 

If a claimant passes away after the Award Notice is issued, the estate’s legal representative can contact the Special Master’s office at (202) 420-2200 to arrange payment. Claimants who submitted estate papers including affidavit of decedent’s successor during the claims process do not have to submit additional documentation. In a few limited circumstances it might be necessary to obtain additional estate documents but if that is the case you will be notified by the Special Master or the Master Guardian ad Litem.

 

​21. Where can I get accurate information?

 

Official site: www.officialflintwaterpayments.com

Distribution Administrator (Epiq): 1-888-893-7470

Official mailed notices and court documents​

 

22. How can I spot scams?

 

Any individual or company that charges a fee for payment, promises faster payments, or guarantees payment amounts that are different from the information in your Award Notice, or asks for personal information (such as your bank account number or Social Security Number), is not part of the settlement process authorized by the Court. If you get such a call or letter, call 1-888-893-7470 immediately. Even if you are not sure, call 1-888-893-7470 to protect yourself.

 

23. What happens if my Award Notice is lost or not received?

 

Recipients should contact their individual attorney, or class counsel at (866) 536-0717 or info@flintwaterjustice.com, or the Distribution Administrator (Epiq) at 1-888-893-7470. If a letter was sent to an old address or not received, we will send a replacement.

 

24. Will there be updates on the progress of payments?

 

Yes. Official updates will be provided through the Special Master’s office and the official settlement website (www.officialflintwaterpayments.com). Residents should rely only on these sources to avoid misinformation.

 

What Can I Do Now?

 

1. Keep your contact information current. Call 1-888-893-7470 with all changes.

 

2. Watch for your payment Award Notice. It will come by mail or email to you or from your individual attorney.

3. Ignore rumors. Only trust official updates.

 

Contacts:

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Website: www.officialflintwaterpayments.com

Phone: 1-888-893-7470

Special Master: (202) 420-2200 or deborah.greenspan@blankrome.com

Master Guardian Ad Litem: 248-633-2630 or mwolock@wolocklaw.com

Special Needs Pooled Trust attorney Brian Jenney at (248) 740-5688-- or e-mail brian.jenney@kkue.com.