Amazon $8.25 Million DC Prime Delivery Settlement, Who Gets a Refund and When to Expect Payment

Amazon has agreed to an $8.25 million settlement with the District of Columbia over allegations that it secretly excluded ZIP codes 20019 and 20020 from its Amazon-branded delivery network while still charging residents full price for Amazon Prime.

This is not a typical class action where you submit a claim form by a set date. $7.25 million will go to eligible Prime members through a claims process run by a third-party administrator, and Amazon will pay a separate $1 million civil penalty to the District of Columbia.

As of October 2, 2026, there is no fixed calendar deadline. The consent judgment says the claims process lasts 180 days from the initial payment notice. Eligible consumers will be told how much they are owed and can choose electronic payment or a check.

Amazon D.C. Prime Settlement: Quick Facts

Detail	What the consent judgment says
Company	Amazon.com, Inc.
Total settlement	$8,250,000.00
Consumer refunds	$7,250,000.00
Payment to D.C.	$1,000,000.00 civil penalty
Case	District of Columbia v. Amazon.com, Inc.
Case number	2024-CAB-007611
Court	Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division
Judge	Julie H. Becker
Law involved	D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act, D.C. Code § 28-3901 et seq.
Affected ZIP codes	20019 and 20020
Relevant period	June 9, 2022 through April 5, 2026
Potentially eligible consumers	More than 69,000 unique Prime members
Claim form	No traditional consumer claim form specified
Deadline	No fixed date yet; claims process lasts 180 days from the initial notice
Payment options	Electronic payment or check
Class action / opt-out	No. Government enforcement action; no opt-out deadline.

Who Is Eligible for an Amazon Prime Refund?

An Eligible Consumer is someone who, at some point during the relevant period (June 9, 2022 through April 5, 2026):

1. Was a paid Amazon Prime member;
2. Had a default delivery address in ZIP code 20019 or 20020; and
3. Paid more than $5.00 for Prime membership during that period.

Simply having an Amazon account is not enough. The settlement is not a nationwide Prime refund, and Prime members in other D.C. ZIP codes or other states are not covered by it.

This is also separate from other Prime delivery lawsuits. For example, our coverage of [internal link: Amazon Prime Two-Day Delivery Class Action Dismissed] involved different plaintiffs and claims in a Washington federal court.

What Did D.C. Allege Against Amazon?

The dispute began in June 2022, when Amazon stopped using its Amazon-branded delivery network for packages going to ZIP codes 20019 and 20020. According to the D.C. complaint (filed December 4, 2024), Amazon instead relied on third-party carriers such as UPS and the U.S. Postal Service for last-mile delivery there.

The District alleged that:

• Before the change, in 2021, packages to those ZIP codes arrived within two days about 73% of the time.
• By 2023, the two-day rate there had fallen to about 24%, while the District-wide rate had risen to nearly 75%.
• Amazon did not disclose the ZIP-code exclusion to existing or prospective Prime members, and some customers who complained were not told it was a deliberate change.

These were allegations in the government’s complaint, not findings by a court.

Amazon’s Position

The complaint says Amazon attributed the changes to driver-safety concerns in those ZIP codes. The consent judgment preserves that framing by defining a “Safety-Based Carrier Exclusion” as the use of carriers other than Amazon Logistics because of an ongoing risk to the safety and security of delivery partners.

Amazon denied the District’s claims. The consent judgment says the settlement is not an admission of a legal violation, wrongdoing or liability. The $8.25 million should not be described as a finding that Amazon intentionally discriminated or broke the law.

Has Amazon Already Restored Delivery to These ZIP Codes?

Yes. The consent judgment states Amazon lifted the safety-based carrier exclusions addressed by the complaint on or before April 5, 2026. The settlement therefore does not require Amazon to restore service. It instead sets disclosure rules for the future.

New Disclosure Rules for Amazon in D.C.

If Amazon creates another ZIP-code-level safety-based carrier exclusion in a D.C. residential ZIP code, it must:

• notify affected Prime members, explaining the change and whether it may affect Prime benefits or delivery speeds;
• disclose the exclusion to prospective Prime members who enter an affected ZIP code when signing up; and
• notify the D.C. Office of the Attorney General within 90 days of implementing the exclusion.

These requirements last four years after the Effective Date of the order.

How the $7.25 Million Consumer Fund Works

Under the consent judgment, Amazon must name a third-party claims administrator within 21 days of the Effective Date and deposit $7.25 million into the fund. The D.C. Attorney General’s Office will give Amazon a spreadsheet identifying each eligible consumer and the amount each should receive. Amazon then gives the administrator the names, contact details and payment amounts.

That is why consumers generally do not need to calculate their own refund or prove their purchases.

How Much Will Each Person Receive?

Amounts are not identical. Each eligible consumer’s payment is based on the Prime membership fees paid during the relevant period, as set by the D.C. Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s announcement described refunds as returning nearly half of the total membership fees paid during the exclusion period. Your exact amount will be stated in your official notice.

Is There a Claim Deadline?

There is no fixed calendar deadline yet. Instead:

• The initial notice must go out within 45 days of the later of the Effective Date or Amazon’s receipt of the eligibility spreadsheet.
• The 180-day claims period starts when that initial notice is sent.

Because the notice date is not yet public, this article does not assign a calendar deadline.

How Will You Be Notified and Paid?

The initial notice goes to the last known email address associated with the consumer’s Prime membership and must say:

• that you are eligible for a payment;
• the amount you are entitled to receive;
• how to choose electronic payment or a check; and
• what to do if you want a check.

If you choose a check, you will need to confirm or update your mailing address, and checks are valid for 90 days after issuance.

If You Do Not Respond

The administrator must send follow-up notices, at least five in total, with the final one sent by mail. After the claims process closes, the administrator must try to pay non-responding consumers electronically and, if that fails, mail a check to the last known address.

What Eligible Consumers Should Do Now

1. Check whether your default Prime delivery address was in 20019 or 20020 during the relevant period.
2. Keep access to the email account tied to your Prime membership.
3. Watch for the official payment notice and review the amount stated.
4. Follow the instructions to choose electronic payment or a check.
5. Confirm your mailing address if you choose a check.
6. Keep the notice and your payment confirmation.

Beware of scams. The official order does not require eligible consumers to pay a fee or provide banking credentials to “release” a payment. Be cautious of third-party sites or messages claiming to have a payment link.

The $1 Million Civil Penalty

Amazon must pay the District a $1 million civil penalty within 21 days of the Effective Date. This is separate from the consumer fund:

• $7,250,000.00 consumer restitution
• $1,000,000.00 civil penalty to D.C.
• $8,250,000.00 total

Is This a Class Action? Can I Opt Out or Object?

No. The plaintiff is the District of Columbia, acting through the Office of the Attorney General under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act. There is no consumer class certification, so the consent judgment sets no consumer opt-out or objection process.

The order states that the settlement does not extinguish consumers’ otherwise available rights, and receiving a payment does not appear to require individuals to release separate claims. Anyone considering a separate lawsuit should get legal advice about their own situation.

Are Settlement Payments Taxable?

General background only. The consent judgment does not address tax treatment.

Refunds of fees you overpaid are often treated differently from income, but how a payment is taxed can depend on your circumstances, including whether you ever deducted the membership fees. Consider consulting a tax professional.

Has the Court Entered the Order Yet?

The consent judgment shows the parties’ signatures dated September 30, 2026. Its Effective Date is the date the court enters the order, and the public copy reviewed has a blank judicial signature and date line. Several payment deadlines run from the Effective Date, so rely on your official notice rather than the publication date of this article.

Amazon D.C. Prime Settlement: Key Dates

Date	Event
June 9, 2022	Start of the Relevant Period
June 2022	Amazon implements the delivery exclusions addressed by the lawsuit
December 4, 2024	D.C. files the complaint
April 5, 2026	Amazon had lifted the exclusions by this date, per the consent judgment
September 30, 2026	D.C. and Amazon sign the consent judgment
October 1, 2026	D.C. Attorney General announces the $8.25 million settlement
Effective Date	Date the court enters the consent order
Within 21 days of Effective Date	Amazon pays the $1 million penalty and funds the $7.25 million Claims Fund
Within 45 days of the later of Effective Date or spreadsheet receipt	Initial payment notice must be sent
180 days after initial notice	Claims process closes
90 days after check issuance	Checks expire

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the settlement cover Prime members in ZIP codes 20019 and 20020?

Yes, if they were paid Prime members with a default delivery address there during the relevant period and paid more than $5 for Prime during that time.

How much will I receive?

The consumer fund totals $7.25 million. Individual amounts depend on the Prime fees you paid during the relevant period and will be stated in your official notice.

Is it $8.2 million or $8.25 million?

$8,250,000.00: $7,250,000.00 for consumers plus a $1,000,000.00 civil penalty.

What is the claim deadline?

No fixed calendar date yet. The claims process lasts 180 days from the initial payment notice.

Do I need to file a claim form?

The consent judgment does not set up a traditional claim form. You will get a notice and choose how to be paid.

How will I be notified?

By email to the last known address associated with your Prime membership, with follow-up notices if you do not respond.

Can I choose a check?

Yes. You can choose electronic payment or a check. Checks expire 90 days after issuance.

What if I do not respond?

At least five notices will be sent, and the administrator will then try to pay you electronically or by check.

Do Prime members in other ZIP codes qualify?

Not under this consent judgment.

Did Amazon admit wrongdoing?

No. The consent judgment says Amazon denies the claims and the settlement is not an admission of liability.

Is this a class action?

No. It is a government enforcement action by the District of Columbia.

What is the case number?

2024-CAB-007611, Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

Has the money been paid yet?

Payments follow the Effective Date. Amazon must pay the penalty and fund the consumer pool within 21 days of it, with consumer notices following under the later schedule.

Bottom Line

The exact settlement is $8.25 million: $7.25 million for eligible Prime members in ZIP codes 20019 and 20020 and a $1 million civil penalty to D.C. The relevant period is June 9, 2022 through April 5, 2026. There is no fixed claim deadline yet, and once the initial notice goes out the claims process lasts 180 days. The settlement resolves the District’s allegations without an admission of wrongdoing by Amazon.

This article will be updated if the court enters the consent judgment, the claims administrator is named, notices go out or a calendar deadline is set.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm. Settlement terms and procedures can change, so rely on official court and government notices.

Sources

1. Signed Consent Judgment, District of Columbia v. Amazon.com, Inc., Case No. 2024-CAB-007611 (D.C. Super. Ct.): https://oag.dc.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/Signed-DC-v-Amazon-Consent-Judgment.pdf
2. D.C. Office of the Attorney General, “Attorney General Schwalb Secures $8.25 Million from Amazon for Secretly Excluding Ward 7 & 8 ZIP Codes from Prime Delivery Services” (Oct. 1, 2026): https://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-schwalb-secures-825-million
3. D.C. Attorney General complaint against Amazon (Dec. 4, 2024): https://oag.dc.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/Amazon%20Complaint%20%28final%29.pdf
4. Council of the District of Columbia, Judiciary & Public Safety FY25 OAG Performance Oversight Questions and Responses: https://dccouncil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/JPS-FY25-OAG-Performance-Oversight-Questions-and-Responses-020426-002.pdf
5. D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act, D.C. Code § 28-3901 et seq.