Closed to new claimsConsumer / Hidden feesVerizon $100 Million Administrative Charge Settlement: Payout Status
Last updated: July 16, 2026
The Verizon settlement is a $100 million class action settlement over the monthly "Administrative Charge" (later the "Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge") that Verizon Wireless added to postpaid customers' bills. The lawsuit alleged Verizon advertised lower monthly plan prices while quietly tacking on this recurring fee, and that it was not adequately disclosed. The deadline to file a claim was April 15, 2024, and it is now closed — you can no longer file. If you filed a valid claim, payments have already been sent: distribution began in early January 2025.
The case, Esposito v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Docket No. MID-L-6360-23, Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County), received final approval on April 26, 2024. The payment formula was a $15 base per account plus $1 for each month you were charged the fee, capped at $100 — but most people received far less, commonly about $2 to $15. That is because a pro-rata reduction written into the settlement scaled every payment down: millions of valid claims had to share the fund after fees and costs, so almost no one received the full $100. Verizon denied any wrongdoing and settled to avoid trial. The official administrator is VerizonAdministrativeChargeSettlement.com.
Key facts
- Settlement fund
- $100,000,000
- Class period
- Jan 1, 2016 – Nov 8, 2023
- Claim deadline
- April 15, 2024 (closed)
- Payment formula
- $15 + $1/month charged, capped at $100
- Typical actual payout
- About $2–$15 (pro-rata reduced)
- Payments began
- Early January 2025
- Final approval
- April 26, 2024
- Case number
- MID-L-6360-23 (N.J. Super. Ct.)
Official settlement administrator: VerizonAdministrativeChargeSettlement.com
Who qualifies
- You were a current or former Verizon Wireless customer with postpaid wireless or data service in the United States.
- You were charged and paid an "Administrative Charge" or "Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge" between January 1, 2016 and November 8, 2023.
- You filed a valid claim by the April 15, 2024 deadline — the settlement is closed to new claims, so this now matters only for people who already filed.
- Prepaid customers and business/enterprise accounts outside the defined class were not covered.
Verizon settlement payout status — what happens now
- 1
The claim deadline closed on April 15, 2024
To receive a payment you had to submit a claim by April 15, 2024. That window is closed and no new claims are accepted. If you missed it, there is nothing further to collect from this settlement.
- 2
The court approved the settlement
The Superior Court of New Jersey in Middlesex County granted final approval on April 26, 2024, in Esposito v. Cellco Partnership. An appeal was filed and later withdrawn, which cleared the way for payments to be distributed.
- 3
Payments went out starting in early January 2025
The administrator sent payments by direct deposit, Zelle, prepaid Mastercard, or mailed check, depending on how each claimant elected to be paid. Distribution began in early January 2025.
- 4
Why your check was smaller than $100
The $100 was a cap, not a flat amount. The formula was $15 plus $1 for each month you paid the fee, and then every payment was reduced pro rata because the number of valid claims far exceeded what the $100 million fund could cover after fees. Many people received only a few dollars — this is normal for a heavily subscribed settlement and does not mean your payment was wrong.
- 5
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Frequently asked questions
When will I get my Verizon settlement check?
If you filed a valid claim, your payment has already been sent — distribution began in early January 2025 by direct deposit, Zelle, prepaid Mastercard, or mailed check. The settlement is fully distributed, so there are no new payments going out.
Why was my Verizon settlement check so small?
The $100 was a maximum, not a flat payout. Each payment was $15 plus $1 per month you paid the Administrative Charge, and then reduced pro rata because millions of valid claims had to share the $100 million fund after fees. Most people received about $2 to $15.
Can I still file a claim for the Verizon settlement?
No. The deadline to file was April 15, 2024, and it is closed. No new claims are accepted, and there is no way to join the settlement now if you did not file before that date.
What was the Verizon Administrative Charge settlement about?
It resolved claims that Verizon Wireless charged postpaid customers a monthly "Administrative Charge" (later the "Administrative and Telco Recovery Charge") that it advertised low headline prices around but did not adequately disclose. Verizon agreed to a $100 million settlement while denying wrongdoing.
Who qualified for the Verizon settlement?
U.S. Verizon Wireless postpaid customers who were charged and paid the Administrative Charge between January 1, 2016 and November 8, 2023, and who filed a claim by April 15, 2024. Prepaid plans and accounts outside the class were not covered.
Is the Verizon settlement legit?
Yes. It is a real $100 million settlement in Esposito v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless (Docket No. MID-L-6360-23, Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County), which received final approval on April 26, 2024. The official administrator site is VerizonAdministrativeChargeSettlement.com.
How was the Verizon settlement payment calculated?
Each claimant received $15 plus $1 for every month they were charged the Administrative Charge, up to a $100 cap. That total was then scaled down pro rata so all valid claims could be paid from the fund, which is why real payments were much lower than the cap.
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