Claims must be filed by March 1, 2013 in $3.4 billion Indian trust settlement
What is this about?
The Cobell v. Salazar Settlement is approved. The Settlement resolves a class action lawsuit that claims that the federal government violated its duties by mismanaging trust accounts and individual Indian trust lands. Payments to the Historical Accounting Class are underway. The process of considering claims for the Trust Administration Class is ongoing.
Am I included?
The Trust Administration Class includes:
- Anyone alive on September 30, 2009 who:
- had an IM account recorded in currently available electronic data in federal government systems anytime from approximately 1985 to September 30, 2009 or
- Can demonstrate ownership in trust land or land in restricted status as of September 30, 2009.
- The estate (or hiers) of an deceased landowner or IM account holder whose account was open or whose trust assets had been in probation according to the federal government’s records as of September 30, 2009.
Do I need to file a claim form?
You must file a claim form if you believe you are a member of the Trust Administration Class and you have not:
- Received IM account statements at your current address anytime between January 1, 1985 and September 30, 2009 and continue to receive statements; or
- Received a payment as a member of the Historical Accounting Class. If you did, you will receive a second payment automatically as a member of the Trust Administration Class; or
- Filed a claim form already using your current address. If you have, the Claims Administration will contact you.
You must fill out a claim form and mail it to Indian Trust Settlement, P.O. Box 9577, Dublin OH 43017-4877, postmarked by March 1, 2013 in order to receive a payment.
How much money can I get?
Members of the Trust Administration Class will likely receive at least $800 or more. The actual amount will depend on the number of claims and the costs of administration.
For a claim form or to update you contact information:
Call toll-free: 1-800-961-6109 or Visit: www.IndianTrust.com