If you already have a filed Child Victims Act claim against the Archdiocese of New York, you file for payment by electing either the $250,000 quick-pay or individualized review through your counsel and the settlement allocator. If you do not have a filed claim, there is no public settlement claim form to submit; your path is a separate civil action in New York state court.
The Child Victims Act is the New York law that allowed survivors to bring older child sexual-abuse claims to civil court. In October 2026 the Archdiocese agreed to pay $800 million to about 1,300 people alleging abuse by clergy and lay workers, according to NPR via KNKX Public Radio in the NPR report carried by KNKX. The money would go into a survivor trust for that existing group.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Prnewswire — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official notice from Knkx — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- Are you in the covered group?
- Which payment option should you elect?
- What can new survivors still file?
- How do you report abuse separately?
- When would payments be made?
Are you in the covered group?
The settlement covers approximately 1,300 already filed Child Victims Act claims. It does not create a new open filing program for the public, according to Legal-Bay via PR Newswire in the Legal-Bay analysis of the proposed settlement.
Check with the lawyer who holds your filed case. Counsel can confirm your claim number, defendant linkage, and whether your filing is counted in the settlement pool.
Which payment option should you elect?
Eligible claimants can take a flat $250,000 quick-pay or seek individualized evaluation by a neutral allocator, according to OSV News via Catholic Review in the OSV News settlement report. Individualized review weighs the nature of the abuse and resulting harm. Quick-pay offers speed and certainty.
Individual review can pay more or less, depending on the allocator's assessment of your facts and documentation. Get independent legal advice before you elect. Quick-pay forgoes possible higher individualized compensation, according to OSV News via Angelus News in the OSV News report via Angelus News. Do not sign a release until counsel explains tax treatment, lien deductions, and appeal rights.
What can new survivors still file?
New York's Child Victims Act lookback window ran Aug. 13, 2019 to Aug. 13, 2021, according to the NY Child Victims Act site in the lookback-window explanation.
After that window, survivors may still file a civil suit until age 55. A survivor normally retains counsel to file a civil action in New York state court, according to Jeff Anderson & Associates in the firm's guide to New York sexual-abuse legislation. The filing generally identifies the perpetrator, dates, location, institutional connection, and harm.
- Name the alleged perpetrator and parish, school, or program
- Give dates or age range, locations, and how the Archdiocese was connected
- Attach medical, counseling, school, or witness records that document harm
- Ask counsel whether your deadline falls under age-55 tolling or another rule
How do you report abuse separately?
A court filing is different from a safety report. The Archdiocese directs any abuse report to the district attorney, its Victims Assistance Coordinator, and its online Report Abuse complaint form, according to the Archdiocese of New York in the Archdiocese Report Abuse page. Report promptly if a child may be at risk.
Keep copies of every report, receipt number, medical visit, and communication. For compensation, speak to an independent attorney rather than relying only on a reporting hotline. A report creates a record; only a filed legal claim preserves compensation rights.
When would payments be made?
The $800 million would enter the survivor trust in two installments: about $615 million initially and $185 million within about 15 months, according to Legal-Bay via PR Newswire in the Legal-Bay analysis of the proposed settlement. Allocator review, releases, and lien resolution then determine individual timing. The agreement was not final at announcement.
Archbishop Ronald Hicks told priests that formal signing was scheduled for the week of Nov. 6, 2026, according to OSV News via The Catholic Spirit in the OSV News report via The Catholic Spirit. Ask counsel for the operative election deadline after signing.