Open for claimsEmployment / COBRA benefitsStarbucks COBRA notice settlement: mail claims by December 2
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Sources last checked:
Starbucks agreed to a $325,000 settlement fund for eligible benefit-plan participants and beneficiaries over allegations of deficient COBRA notices. Starbucks denies wrongdoing. Valid, timely claimants receive a share of the net fund after administration costs; the individual payment is not fixed.
The class concerns qualifying COBRA notices sent in the United States from July 21, 2016 through January 1, 2023, where continuation coverage was not elected. The class includes plan participants not subject to Starbucks’ arbitration agreement and beneficiaries of its Welfare Benefits Plan, including the Health Plan and Vision Plan. Membership is determined from Starbucks’ records.
To receive money, sign and mail the claim postcard from your notice, postmarked by December 2, 2026. The website’s Update Address tool does not submit a claim. Payments require final court approval and resolution of appeals or objections.
Key facts
- Gross settlement fund
- $325,000; administration costs are deducted
- Covered COBRA notices
- July 21, 2016–January 1, 2023; qualifying event and no election of continuation coverage
- Claim deadline
- December 2, 2026 — U.S. Mail postmark
- Potential payment
- Pro rata share of the net fund; amount depends on valid claims
- Final approval hearing
- January 6, 2027 at 11:00 a.m.; not a payment date
- Case
- Lubin v. Starbucks Corporation, No. 8:20-cv-01311, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division
Official settlement administrator: American Legal Claims Services, LLC
Evidence for key facts
These excerpts record what official sources said when checked. Open a fact to see its source and supporting passage. Follow the source for the latest information.
Who qualifiesChecked
All participants not subject to Starbucks’ Arbitration Agreement, and all beneficiaries in the Defendant’s Welfare Benefits Plan, including the Health Plan and Vision Plan, in the United States who were sent a COBRA notice between July 21, 2016, through January 1, 2023, as a result of a qualifying event, as determined by Defendant and/or its third party administrator and, who did not elect continuation coverage
Signed preliminary approval orderPDF p2, operative certification paragraph 5
Who qualifiesChecked
In all cases, the question of Settlement Class membership will be determined based on Defendant’s records.
Current long-form class noticePDF p4, question 5
Claim statusChecked
To receive a check with your settlement payment, you need to submit a claim by no later than December 2, 2026.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 7
Claim deadlineChecked
All claim forms must be postmarked no later than December 2, 2026.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 7
Claim deadlineChecked
Deadline for Filing Claim December 2, 2026
Signed preliminary approval orderPDF p6, paragraph 17 schedule
Payment and benefitsChecked
Defendant has agreed to pay a total of $325,000.00 (the “Gross Settlement”) into a Settlement Account. From that total, court-approved costs of the Settlement Administrator will be deducted, which Class Counsel estimates at $75,000.00.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 6; whitespace normalized
Payment and benefitsChecked
Every Settlement Class Member who timely files a valid claim will receive a pro rata payment. Assuming 25% of class members timely file claims, those class members will receive approximately $30.00. If the claims rate is 10%, each participating class member would receive approximately $74.00.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 6; whitespace normalized
Payment and benefitsChecked
Class Counsel will ask the Court to award them $450,000.00 in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs payable separately by Defendant and not from the Gross Settlement, subject to Court approval.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 6
Proof requirementsChecked
First Name: Last Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code:
Filed motion, including complete short-form notice and claim postcardPDF p69, filed Exhibit C complete postcard claim form; whitespace normalized
Proof requirementsChecked
I understand that, unless I affirmatively opt out of this class settlement, I am releasing Defendant and each of the Released Parties from any and all claims arising out of or that could arise out of the COBRA Notice sent to each Settlement Class Member at issue in Plaintiffs’ Class Action Complaint. I want to receive a pro rata portion of the settlement fund designated for Class Members. Signature: Date:
Filed motion, including complete short-form notice and claim postcardPDF p69, complete claim postcard affirmation and signature; whitespace normalized
Proof requirementsChecked
The document substantially in the form attached as Exhibit “B” to the Parties’ Joint Motion for Preliminary Approval, that will be mailed to Class Members’ last known address and must be signed and returned by U.S. mail, by the Response Date for the Class Member to receive his or her share of the Net Settlement Fund.
Settlement agreementPDF p4, paragraph 11; motion package labels actual short-form exhibit C
Claim statusChecked
The Short Form Notice includes a claim form and also directs Settlement Class Members to the Settlement website, which will include the Long Form Notice and additional information to evaluate the Settlement. Accordingly, the Court approves the Notices of Settlement.
Signed preliminary approval orderPDF p5, paragraph 13
Payment and benefitsChecked
The Settlement Administrator shall send checks to Settlement Class Members who submit valid claims by first-class U.S. Mail within thirty (30) days after the Settlement Account is funded.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 6; whitespace normalized
Payment and benefitsChecked
Each Settlement Class Member who timely files a valid claim shall have sixty (60) days from the date which appears on the face of the check issued to them to negotiate their settlement check.
Current long-form class noticePDF p5, question 6; whitespace normalized
Claim statusChecked
Settlement payments to members of the Settlement Class will be made only if the Settlement is finally approved by the Court and only after all appeals or objections are resolved.
Current long-form class noticePDF p6, question 8; whitespace normalized
Who qualifies
- You were a participant not subject to Starbucks’ arbitration agreement, or a beneficiary, in Starbucks’ Welfare Benefits Plan, including the Health Plan and Vision Plan.
- You were in the United States and were sent a COBRA notice from July 21, 2016 through January 1, 2023 because of a qualifying event, as determined by Starbucks or its third-party administrator, and did not elect continuation coverage.
- Starbucks’ records determine class membership. Receiving a mailed settlement notice indicates that those records identify you as a potential class member; contact the administrator if unsure. Starbucks purchases or employment alone do not establish eligibility.
- A valid, timely claim is required for payment. Members who validly opt out do not receive settlement money.
How to request your settlement payment
- 1
Find your mailed notice and claim postcard
Use the claim form sent with your settlement notice. If it is missing or you are unsure about eligibility, contact the settlement administrator at (800) 566-0584 or info@cobranoticeclassaction.com. The website’s address-update form is for contact changes, not claims.
- 2
Complete and sign the claim
The approved postcard asks for your first and last name, street address, city, state and ZIP code, plus signature and date. Read its release acknowledgment and request for a pro rata payment. Membership is checked against Starbucks’ records.
- 3
Mail with a timely postmark
Mail the signed claim to Lubin v. Starbucks Corp, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 23309, Jacksonville, FL 32241-3309. It must be postmarked no later than December 2, 2026. The official claim instructions provide a mail process, not online claim submission.
- 4
Keep your address current and watch for updates
Use the official Update Address tool with your Notice ID and PIN, or contact the administrator, if your mailing address changes. If approved, checks are mailed within 30 days after the settlement account is funded. Cash a check within 60 days of the date printed on it.
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Frequently asked questions
How much will I receive from the Starbucks COBRA settlement?
Valid claimants share the net fund equally. The gross fund is $325,000 and court-approved administration costs, estimated at $75,000, are deducted. The notice gives examples of about $30 at a 25% claims rate or $74 at a 10% claims rate. These are illustrations, not a promised range; actual payments depend on valid claims.
Do I qualify because I bought Starbucks coffee?
No. This settlement concerns benefit-plan participants and beneficiaries who meet the defined COBRA notice and non-election conditions. It is unrelated to buying coffee or using a Starbucks account.
Can I file the claim online?
The current notice instructs members to mail the completed, signed claim form. The website offers online address updates, which do not replace filing the claim. Contact the administrator if you need your notice or claim postcard.
Do I need to supply receipts or medical records?
The complete approved postcard form requests identity and mailing details, a signature and date, and acknowledgment of the release. It does not list receipts or medical records as standard attachments. The administrator determines membership from Starbucks’ records; follow any instructions it sends about your individual claim.
What are the exclusion and objection deadlines?
The official notice lists December 2, 2026 for both. Exclusion requests must be mailed with a timely postmark. Objections must be filed with the court and a copy mailed to the administrator with a timely postmark. Read the notice for the required content and procedures.
When will Starbucks settlement checks arrive?
There is no guaranteed calendar payment date. Final approval and resolution of appeals or objections must come first. The administrator then mails checks within 30 days after the settlement account is funded. The January 6, 2027 hearing is not a payment date.
Are attorneys’ fees deducted from the $325,000 fund?
The notice says the requested $450,000 in attorneys’ fees and litigation costs is payable separately by Starbucks, subject to court approval. Administration costs are deducted from the $325,000 fund.
Sources and official records
Consult these records for the official terms and current updates. ClaimBee's summary helps explain the settlement; the administrator and court documents determine the claim requirements and benefits.
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