If you bought beef, you may be eligible for cash from a massive settlement. Here’s how to claim it

Millions of Americans who bought beef may be due a portion of an $87.5 million settlement paid by U.S. beef processors who were accused of engaging in a “price-fixing” scheme to raise prices of everything from baby back ribs to filet mignon at the grocery store.

Consumers are eligible for the money if they purchased the meat in one of 26 states — including Oregon and California, but not Washington — from August 2014 to December 2019. Only fresh or frozen “chuck, loin, rib or round primal cuts” fall under the settlement.

The settlement money could come as a bit of relief to consumers who’ve been paying sky-high prices for beef lately.

How much will I receive?

It’s unclear how much each person will receive, but only those who fill out a claims form by June 30 will receive their share of the pot. Click here for the online claims form or learn how to mail a written form by visiting the settlement’s website.

Forms can be mailed to:

Consumer Indirect Beef Litigation

Settlement Administrator

P.O. Box 3605

Portland, OR 97208-3605

The payout will come from two large meat producers, Tyson Foods and Cargill, who are respectively contributing $55 million and $32.5 million to end claims against them.

I don’t have receipts, can I still file a claim?

This doesn’t appear to be a problem.

The claims form doesn’t ask for any proof of purchase, such as a receipt. Consumers have only to attest to how frequently they bought the qualifying cuts each month, the estimated number of pounds that worked out to be and how much money they spent on them.

What’s the lawsuit about?

Both companies were among several sued in a class-action suit filed in federal court in Minnesota. Consumers there and across 25 other states claimed the companies conspired to underpay cattle ranchers “by artificially depressing demand for cattle” while simultaneously overcharging “consumers by reducing their output of beef and thus inflating consumer prices.”

Dan Campbell, an Oregon resident, is one of the plaintiffs.

While Tyson and Cargill agreed to settle the lawsuit against them without admitting fault, four other companies — JBS USA Food Company, Swift Beef Company, JBS Packerland and National Beef Packing Company — have not settled, according to the settlement website. The lawsuit states that the companies “and their co-conspirators” control over 70% of the wholesale beef market.

How do I know if I bought beef that qualifies?

Ground beef, beef jerky and other processed meats that were seasoned, marinated, breaded or cooked don’t qualify for the refund.

Wagyu, USDA Prime, organic, 100% grass-fed and American-style Kobe beef also don’t qualify. Neither do “specialty” beef, such as antibiotic-free, kosher, halal or certified humane meats.

Click here for a full list of 284 types of beef that do apply to the settlement funds.