Fifteen states — and D.C. — were included in a $52 million settlement.
A 1980s dairy campaign told us, “Milk, it does a body good.” Well, now it might do some good for your wallet, too, thanks to a recent $52 million dairy industry settlement.
If you’ve purchased milk or other dairy products since 2003, and live in one of the 15 states — or Washington D.C. — that were named in a 2011 class action antitrust lawsuit, you could be eligible for cash back.
The lawsuit was filed by Compassion Over Killing, a non-profit animal advocacy organization, against Cooperatives Working Together and other dairy industry trade groups and alleged that U.S. dairy producers slaughtered more than 500,000 cows to “reduce milk supply and inflate prices.”
So, what exactly does that mean for consumers?
If you live or have ever resided in one of the following 15 states — or Washington D.C. — and purchased milk or other dairy products in the last 14 years, you could be eligible to receive up to $70. The states include:
- Arizona
- California
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
While no proof of purchase is required when filing a claim, you must agree “under penalty of perjury” that you purchased milk products such as cottage cheese, cream, cream cheese, half and half, sour cream, or yogurt since 2003 to be eligible for the refund.
Claims, which opened for filing in Sept. 2016 after the five-year lawsuit was finally settled, range from $30 to $70 per person and must be submitted no later than Jan. 31. More information about the settlement can be found here.
If you are filing a claim, be sure to read the fine print before submitting your claim.
