If you applied for a job at Target in Washington State between January 1, 2023 and July 26, 2025, you may be entitled to up to $1,711.93 from a $2.225 million class action settlement. The case, Brinkman v. Target Corporation, alleges that Target failed to include pay ranges and benefits descriptions in its Washington job postings, violating the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act.
You have three options before the March 31, 2026 deadline: file a claim to collect your share, opt out to preserve your right to sue independently, or object to the settlement terms before the court grants final approval. The settlement applies to every person who submitted an application for a Target position in Washington during the covered period, regardless of whether you were hired, interviewed, rejected, or withdrew your application. So if you applied for a cashier role at a Bellevue Target in June 2024 and never heard back, you still qualify. This article walks through each of your three options in detail, explains the payment structure, covers the deadlines you cannot afford to miss, and flags some practical considerations that most summaries leave out.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Target Washington Pay Transparency Settlement and Who Qualifies?
- How Much Money Will You Actually Receive from the Target EPOA Settlement?
- How to File a Claim Before the March 31, 2026 Deadline
- Opting Out vs. Objecting — Which Option Makes Sense for You?
- Common Pitfalls That Could Cost You Your Settlement Payment
- What Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act Means for Future Job Applicants
- What Happens After the Final Approval Hearing on May 5, 2026?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Target Washington Pay Transparency Settlement and Who Qualifies?
In the lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court, plaintiffs Landon Brinkman, Meghan McClendon, and Nicole Yount argued that target Corporation posted jobs in washington without disclosing the wage scale or salary range and without providing a general description of benefits. Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, codified under RCW 49.58, requires employers to include this information in job postings. Target denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle for $2.225 million rather than continue litigating. Eligibility is straightforward: you qualify if you applied for any Target job in Washington State between January 1, 2023 and July 26, 2025. It does not matter whether the position was part-time, full-time, seasonal, or managerial.
It does not matter whether you applied online or in person. The single criterion is that you submitted an application for a Target role in Washington during that window. One important detail — payments are calculated on a one-per-claimant basis, not per application. If you applied for seven different positions at three different Target locations across Washington, you still receive only one payment. Multiple applications do not increase your payout.
How Much Money Will You Actually Receive from the Target EPOA Settlement?
The total settlement fund is $2.225 million, but the net amount available after attorney fees and administrative costs could range from approximately $1,463,183.85 to the full $2.225 million. The maximum individual payment is $1,711.93, though the actual check you receive depends on how many people file valid claims. If relatively few claimants come forward, individual payments move closer to that ceiling. If the claim rate is high, the per-person amount drops.
However, if you are expecting this money to arrive tax-free, be aware that the settlement classifies payments as non-wage damages. That means the settlement administrator may report your payment on a Form 1099, and you could owe taxes on it. The IRS generally treats non-wage settlement payments as taxable income unless they fall under specific exclusions such as physical injury claims, which this is not. If your payment is close to the maximum and you are in a tight income bracket where a few hundred dollars matters for tax purposes, it is worth factoring that in. Consult a tax professional if you are uncertain about how this affects your return.
How to File a Claim Before the March 31, 2026 Deadline
Filing a claim is the default option for most people, and the process is simple. You can submit your claim online at epoasettlement-jan-02-2026.com, which is the official settlement website. Alternatively, you can email your completed claim form to [email protected], or mail it to Brinkman v. Target Corp., c/o Simpluris, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799. If you mail it, the envelope must be postmarked by March 31, 2026.
The settlement administratorsettlement administrator[contact via the official settlement website] if you have questions about the process. For example, say you applied for a distribution center role at Target’s Lacey, Washington facility in March 2023. You would visit the settlement website, fill in your identifying information and confirm your application history, and submit the form. You do not need to provide proof that the job posting lacked pay information — the lawsuit covers the class as a whole. One practical note: if you have moved since applying, make sure the settlement administrator has your current address on file. Settlement checks that go to an old address and are returned unclaimed will not be reissued indefinitely, and checks must be cashed within 180 days or they become void.
Opting Out vs. Objecting — Which Option Makes Sense for You?
These two options serve very different purposes, and confusing them is a common mistake. Opting out (formally called requesting exclusion) means you remove yourself from the settlement entirely. You give up your right to receive any payment, but you preserve your right to file your own independent lawsuit against Target over the same pay transparency violations. You would need to send a written exclusion request to Simpluris at the mailing address above, postmarked by March 31, 2026. Objecting is the opposite in some respects — you stay in the settlement class but formally tell the court that you disagree with some aspect of the deal, whether it is the total amount, the fee structure, or the distribution method.
To object, you must file a written objection with the King County Superior Court by March 31, 2026, following the specific instructions laid out in the class notice. The tradeoff is clear: opting out makes sense only if you believe you have a strong individual claim worth more than the settlement payment and are willing to hire your own attorney and bear litigation costs. For the vast majority of claimants, filing a claim is the most practical choice. Objecting makes sense if you believe the settlement terms are unfair to the class but still want to participate. The final approval hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2026, and the judge will consider any filed objections before deciding whether to approve the deal.
Common Pitfalls That Could Cost You Your Settlement Payment
The single biggest risk is missing the March 31, 2026 deadline. There is no grace period, no late submission window, and no appeal process for tardy claims. If you mail your form on April 1, it will be rejected. Set a reminder now, and if possible, file online to eliminate postal delays from the equation.
Another issue that catches people off guard is the 180-day check cashing requirement. Once the settlement administrator mails your check after final approval, you have exactly 180 days to deposit or cash it. After that, the check is void and the funds revert to the settlement fund or are distributed according to the court’s instructions. If you are someone who lets mail pile up or tends to forget about checks in a drawer, this is a real risk. There is also no provision in the settlement for electronic direct deposit — you will receive a physical check, so keeping your mailing address current with the administrator is essential.
What Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act Means for Future Job Applicants
The EPOA, found under RCW 49.58, is one of the stronger pay transparency laws in the country. It requires employers with 15 or more employees to disclose wage scales or salary ranges and provide a general description of benefits and other compensation in every job posting. The Target settlement is a signal that courts and plaintiffs’ attorneys are actively enforcing these requirements, and it will not be the last case of its kind.
Several other major employers have faced similar lawsuits in Washington, and the trend is accelerating as more states adopt comparable laws. For job seekers, this means you should expect to see salary ranges on Washington job postings going forward. If you encounter a posting from a large employer that omits this information, it may be in violation of state law, and that violation could form the basis of future litigation.
What Happens After the Final Approval Hearing on May 5, 2026?
The May 5, 2026 hearing in King County Superior Court is where the judge will review the settlement terms, consider any objections, and decide whether to grant final approval. If approved, the settlement administrator will process claims and begin mailing checks.
The timeline for receiving payment typically runs several weeks to a few months after final approval, depending on the volume of claims and any last-minute administrative issues. If the court does not approve the settlement — which is uncommon but possible if significant objections are raised — the parties would return to litigation or negotiate revised terms, which could delay resolution considerably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need proof that I applied for a Target job in Washington to file a claim?
No. The settlement administrator has access to Target’s application records. You submit your claim with your identifying information, and the administrator verifies eligibility. However, having a confirmation email or screenshot of your application can help resolve any disputes.
I applied for multiple Target jobs in Washington. Do I get paid for each application?
No. The settlement pays one payment per claimant, regardless of how many applications you submitted during the covered period.
Will my settlement payment be taxed?
Payments are classified as non-wage damages and may be reported on a Form 1099. This generally means the payment is considered taxable income. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Can I file a claim and also object to the settlement?
Yes. Objecting does not disqualify you from receiving payment. You remain in the settlement class while voicing your concerns to the court. However, you cannot file a claim and opt out — those two options are mutually exclusive.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you take no action by March 31, 2026, you will not receive any payment and you will still be bound by the settlement terms, meaning you give up the right to sue Target individually over these specific claims. Doing nothing is the worst option.
When will I receive my check?
Checks will be mailed after the final approval hearing on May 5, 2026, assuming the court approves the settlement. Expect several weeks to a few months for processing. Once received, you have 180 days to cash the check.
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