The Starbucks COBRA notice settlement provides a $325,000 fund for about 33,800 class members, with mailed claim forms postmarked by Dec. 2, 2026.
COBRA here means continued health-plan coverage after a qualifying event such as job loss. The case challenges the instructions Starbucks sent for electing that coverage. Class members who qualify must return the postcard form by mail because no online claim form is offered.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Openclassactions — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official notice from Cobranoticeclassaction — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
Table of Contents
- Who Can File a Claim?
- How Much Will Valid Claims Receive?
- How Do You Submit Your Claim on Time?
- What Other Dates and Decisions Matter?
Who Can File a Claim?
The class covers U.S. Welfare Benefits Plan participants who were not subject to Starbucks' arbitration agreement. According to the Settlement Administrator, it also includes beneficiaries who received a COBRA notice after a qualifying event.
The notice must have been sent between July 21, 2016 and Jan. 1, 2023. Covered people also must not have elected continuation coverage after receiving that notice.
How Much Will Valid Claims Receive?
The proposed fund holds $325,000 for approximately 33,800 settlement class members, according to the official settlement site. Payments will be divided equally among people with valid claims after administration costs are paid.
That structure means there is no fixed payment amount now. A person's share depends on how many valid claims are approved and the final administration costs.
How Do You Submit Your Claim on Time?
Class members must complete and return the mailed postcard claim form by mail postmarked no later than Dec. 2, 2026.
OpenClassActions reported in its Starbucks settlement summary that the administrator provides no online claim option. Mail early to avoid a late postmark. Keep a copy of the completed form and note the mailing date.
- Use the postcard form sent to you.
- Complete every required field.
- Mail it so the postmark reads Dec. 2, 2026 or earlier.
What Other Dates and Decisions Matter?
Requests for exclusion and objections are also due Dec. 2, 2026. The court's final fairness hearing is scheduled for Jan.
6, 2027 at 11:00 a.m., according to the Settlement Administrator's Key Dates page. The court granted preliminary approval on July 8, 2026, OpenClassActions reported. Payments still require final approval and resolution of any appeals, so no payment date was set as of mid-October 2026. Starbucks denies the notice was deficient and denies liability, while the court has made no finding of wrongdoing.