Closed to new claimsConsumer / Junk feesInstacart $60 Million FTC Settlement: Refund Status
Last updated: July 28, 2026
The Instacart settlement is a $60 million Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement requiring Instacart — the grocery-delivery company, legally named Maplebear Inc. — to refund consumers who were charged deceptive fees. The FTC alleged Instacart advertised "free delivery" while still charging a mandatory service fee, enrolled customers in paid Instacart+ memberships without their clear consent, and failed to honor its "100% satisfaction guarantee." The refunds go to consumers who placed orders — not to Instacart shoppers or drivers. No claim form has been announced: the FTC typically issues these refunds automatically using the company's own billing records, so eligible customers do not need to file anything.
The case, Federal Trade Commission v. Maplebear Inc. (Case No. 3:25-cv-10783, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California), was filed on December 18, 2025, and resolved by a stipulated order signed by Judge Jon S. Tigar in January 2026. As of mid-2026 the refund process has not yet launched, and the FTC has not published per-person amounts or a payment date. There is no deadline to act — watch the FTC's official case page for the refund schedule, and be cautious of any site asking you to "file an Instacart claim" or pay a fee, because no such claim process has been announced.
Key facts
- Settlement amount
- $60,000,000 (consumer refunds)
- Who is paid
- Instacart customers (not shoppers/drivers)
- Claim required
- No — refunds expected to be automatic
- Claim deadline
- None announced
- Payout amount
- Not yet published
- Complaint filed
- December 18, 2025
- Order signed
- January 2026 (Judge Tigar)
- Case number
- 3:25-cv-10783 (N.D. Cal.)
Official settlement administrator: ftc.gov (Instacart/Maplebear case)
Who qualifies
- You were an Instacart customer who paid a service fee on an order after being shown "free delivery" advertising.
- You were charged for an Instacart+ membership (including after a free trial) that you did not knowingly agree to.
- You were denied a refund the company's "100% satisfaction guarantee" appeared to promise.
- You do not need to be an Instacart shopper or delivery driver — the refunds are for consumers who placed and paid for orders.
Instacart refund status — what happens now
- 1
The FTC secured a $60 million judgment
On December 18, 2025 the FTC sued Instacart's parent company, Maplebear Inc., and the parties agreed to a $60 million settlement. Judge Jon S. Tigar signed the stipulated order in January 2026, which also requires Instacart to clearly disclose fees, get express consent before auto-renewing memberships, and follow a 10-year compliance program.
- 2
No claim form has been announced
The FTC generally administers refunds like these automatically, identifying affected customers from the company's billing and account records. As of mid-2026 no claim form exists and none has been announced — you most likely will not need to do anything to be paid.
- 3
Refund amounts and timing are not yet public
The FTC has not published how much each consumer will receive or when refunds will be sent. Amounts in FTC redress programs depend on the number of eligible consumers and what each person was overcharged, so no per-person figure is available yet.
- 4
How to check your Instacart refund status
The authoritative source is the FTC. Watch ftc.gov for the Instacart (Maplebear) refund announcement, which will list how payments are sent (typically PayPal, check, or account credit). Be cautious: no third-party "Instacart settlement claim" site is official, and the FTC never charges a fee to send a refund.
- 5
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Frequently asked questions
When will I get my Instacart refund from the $60 million settlement?
No payment date has been announced. Instacart agreed to the $60 million FTC settlement in January 2026, but the FTC has not yet launched the refund program or published a schedule. When it does, the details will appear on the FTC's official case page at ftc.gov.
Do I need to file a claim for the Instacart settlement?
No claim form has been announced, and you most likely will not need to file one. The FTC typically issues refunds like these automatically using the company's billing records. Be cautious of any website asking you to submit an "Instacart claim" or pay a fee.
How much is the Instacart settlement payout per person?
The FTC has not published per-person amounts. The $60 million is divided among eligible consumers based on how many people qualify and what they were overcharged, so no individual figure is available yet.
What was the Instacart FTC lawsuit about?
The FTC alleged Instacart advertised "free delivery" while charging a mandatory service fee, enrolled customers in paid Instacart+ memberships without clear consent, and did not honor its "100% satisfaction guarantee." Instacart agreed to pay $60 million and to change these practices while denying wrongdoing.
Who qualifies for the Instacart refund?
Consumers who placed Instacart orders and were charged deceptive service fees, or who were billed for an Instacart+ membership they did not knowingly sign up for. The refunds are for customers, not for Instacart shoppers or delivery drivers.
Is the Instacart settlement real?
Yes. It is a $60 million settlement from a lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission filed against Instacart's parent company, Maplebear Inc. (Case No. 3:25-cv-10783, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California). The order was signed by Judge Jon S. Tigar in January 2026.
Will Instacart shoppers or drivers get paid from this settlement?
No. This $60 million FTC settlement refunds consumers who paid deceptive fees or unauthorized membership charges. A separate $100 million FTC action addressed pay for Walmart Spark drivers; the Instacart refunds are for customers only.
Sources and official records
Every figure and date on this page was taken from the primary records below — court dockets, agency releases, and the settlement administrator's own notices. Payout averages we describe as averages are calculated from the official totals, not reported per-person estimates.
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