Residents of Washington State are buzzing with news about a significant legal settlement involving one of the most popular payment apps in the country. On December 16, 2025, details emerged regarding a $12.5 million agreement between Block Inc., the owner of Cash App, and a group of consumers. This settlement resolves a class action lawsuit that accused the company of sending unwanted spam text messages to millions of people.
The lawsuit, known as Bottoms v. Block Inc., alleged that the financial technology giant violated strict privacy laws in Washington. With the proposed settlement now public, eligible residents could receive payments estimated between $88 and $147. This guide explains why the company is paying out, who is eligible to claim the money, and what steps you need to take next.
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Why Cash App Is Paying Millions
The lawsuit centers on a specific marketing feature used by Cash App that encourages customers to invite their friends to the platform. Plaintiffs argued that this “invite” tool was effectively a way for the company to aggressively expand its user base by sending text messages to potential customers without their consent. In Washington State, sending unsolicited electronic commercial text messages is a violation of the Consumer Electronic Mail Act.
According to the complaint, Cash App utilized an automated system to blast these invitations to phone numbers across the state. While Block Inc. has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that their practices were legal, they agreed to settle the case to avoid the uncertainty and high costs of a prolonged trial. This decision means that money will soon be available to those who received these texts.
Who Qualifies for the Cash
This settlement is geographically specific. To qualify for a share of the $12.5 million fund, you must meet a few requirements. First, you must be a resident of Washington State. Second, you must have received an unsolicited referral text from Cash App.
The timeframe for eligibility is also crucial. You typically qualify if you received one of these invite texts between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025. Current estimates suggest that up to 2 million unique phone numbers might be involved in this class action. The final payout amount for each person will depend on how many of these eligible individuals actually submit a valid claim form.
How Much You Can Expect to Receive
Financial experts analyzing the settlement predict that individual payments will range from $88 to $147. Before any money goes to consumers, the fund will cover administrative costs, legal fees, and a service award for the person who originally filed the lawsuit. The remaining balance is then divided among the approved claimants.
It is important to manage expectations regarding the final check size. In class action lawsuits, the per person amount often decreases if a large number of people file claims. However, if fewer people participate than expected, the payout for those who do file could be on the higher end of the estimate.
When and Where to File Your Claim
As of today, December 16, 2025, the official claims website has not yet gone live for public submissions. The settlement is currently in a phase awaiting final administrative setup following the court procedures. Once the dedicated website is launched, you will be able to enter your information to request your payment.
Eligible individuals can expect to receive notifications soon. If Block Inc. has your email address on file, you will likely get a digital notice. Others may receive a postcard in the mail explaining the process. When the time comes, the settlement administrators are expected to offer convenient payment options, including direct deposits to Venmo, PayPal, or a standard paper check.
Settlement Facts at a Glance
The table below provides a quick summary of the key details you need to know about this case.
| Category | Details |
| Total Settlement Fund | $12.5 Million |
| Estimated Payout | $88 to $147 per person |
| Eligible Group | Washington State residents |
| Reason for Lawsuit | Unsolicited spam text messages |
| Claim Status | Pending final website launch |
| Payment Methods | Check, Venmo, PayPal, Transfer |
Key Takeaways for Claimants
- The lawsuit alleges Cash App violated Washington privacy laws by sending spam texts.
- Block Inc. settled for $12.5 million but did not admit to any legal wrongdoing.
- You must have received an invite text between November 2019 and August 2025 to qualify.
- No claim form is available yet, but a website will be launched shortly.
- Be cautious of scams and wait for the official court approved website to go live.
