By Rightful Advice 
The bottoms text settlement payment distribution has entered its final phase in 2026, delivering concrete relief to eligible Washington residents affected by unsolicited commercial text messages. Approved claimants in the class action lawsuit Bottoms v. Block, Inc. are receiving payments of $394.36 each following court approval of the $12.5 million settlement fund.
This update provides timely clarity for class members who submitted valid claims by the October 27, 2025, deadline. It also offers a broader context on how consumer protection laws address digital marketing practices that rely on referral programs without explicit consent.
Background of the Lawsuit
The case, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington under Case No. 2:23-cv-01969-MJP, centered on allegations that Block, Inc., the parent company of Cash App, violated Washington state law. Specifically, the complaint asserted that Block substantially assisted its users in transmitting unsolicited commercial text messages through the Cash App “Invite Friends” referral program.
These messages typically encouraged recipients to download or use Cash App by referencing a referral code and a $5 incentive. The plaintiff, Kimberly Bottoms, contended that such texts were sent to Washington residents between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025, without the recipients’ clear and affirmative prior consent. The claims arose under Washington’s Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA), codified at RCW 19.190, and the Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA), RCW 19.86.
CEMA prohibits the transmission of commercial electronic mail messages that contain false or misleading information or that are sent without the recipient’s consent. The CPA, in turn, provides a private right of action for unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce. In class action practice, such statutes allow representative plaintiffs to seek relief on behalf of similarly situated individuals, streamlining resolution of widespread but individually small harms.
Block, Inc. denied any wrongdoing throughout the litigation. The company maintained that it complied with all applicable state and federal laws and that the allegations lacked legal foundation. As is standard in settlement agreements, Block’s entry into the resolution does not constitute an admission of liability.
Settlement Terms and Court Approval
Following negotiations, the parties reached a proposed settlement in 2025. Block agreed to pay $12,500,000 into a common fund. This amount was designated to cover:
- Settlement payments to eligible class members
- Administrative costs of notice and distribution
- Court-awarded attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses
- A service award to the class representative
The United States District Court granted preliminary approval and later entered final approval of the class action settlement on December 2, 2025. Judge John Chun found the agreement fair, reasonable. And adequate after reviewing the procedural history, the strength of the claims and defenses, and the interests of class members.
Class counsel requested up to $3,125,000 in attorneys’ fees (one-fourth of the fund), reimbursement of approximately $41,133.36 in expenses, and a $10,000 service award to the named plaintiff. These deductions, along with notice and administration costs, reduced the net amount available for distribution. The final per-claimant payment reached $394.36, higher than the initial estimate of $88 to $147, because the number of approved claims resulted in a larger pro-rata share than projected.
Eligibility and the Claims Process
Membership in the settlement class required three elements:
- Receipt of a Cash App referral program text message between November 14, 2019, and August 7, 2025
- Residence in Washington at the time the message was received
- Absence of clear and affirmative prior consent to receive such messages
An illustrative example of a qualifying text reads: “Hey! I’ve been using Cash App to send money and spend using the Cash Card. Try it using my code, and you’ll get $5. FVRJ1PH https://cash.app/app/ FVRJ1PH.” These messages were distinguished from transactional texts, such as those confirming money sent or requested.
Class members had until October 27, 2025, to submit a claim form online or by mail. The deadline also applied to requests for exclusion (opt-outs) and objections. Because the claims period has closed, no new claims are being accepted. Individuals who took no action remain bound by the settlement but receive no payment.
2026 Payment Distribution Update
Distribution of the bottom settlement payment began in early February 2026. Approved claimants received funds through electronic methods where possible, including PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or virtual prepaid cards. Paper checks were issued for those without valid electronic payment information or where electronic transfers failed.
On April 1, 2026, the settlement administrator issued a formal distribution status update. All failed digital payments and returned mail checks had been processed and reissued as paper checks. Reissue requests received by March 18, 2026, via email to info@BottomsTextSettlement.com or telephone at 1-877-540-7545 were also mailed. The administrator anticipated that most checks would reach recipients by Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Class members who have not yet received their payment are directed to contact the administrator for status verification. Any uncashed or undeliverable funds may support a second pro-rata distribution to those who cashed their initial payments or may be directed to the Legal Foundation of Washington, consistent with cy pres principles in class action administration.
Legal Context: Consumer Protections Against Unsolicited Texts
This litigation reflects broader regulatory scrutiny of digital referral marketing. Under federal law, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227, imposes strict consent requirements for certain automated calls and texts. Washington’s CEMA extends similar protections to electronic mail. And text messages, authorizing statutory damages of $500 per violation or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
Class actions serve an important function in these cases. Individual claims often involve modest statutory damages that do not justify separate litigation. Aggregation through Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows efficient resolution while deterring widespread practices that might otherwise escape accountability.
Courts evaluating such settlements consider the Girsh factors or their equivalents, weighing the complexity of the case, the stage of proceedings, the risks of continued litigation. And the reasonableness of the relief relative to potential recovery. Here, the $12.5 million fund provided immediate, certain recovery without the uncertainty of trial or appeal.
Practical Implications for Class Members and Businesses
For affected Washington residents, the bottom text settlement payment represents tangible compensation for privacy intrusions that many experienced as minor annoyances. Receiving $394.36 may not fully offset the cumulative inconvenience of unwanted texts, yet it underscores the value of statutory remedies in consumer protection law.
Businesses operating referral programs should note the case as a reminder of consent obligations. Platforms that facilitate user-generated marketing messages must ensure mechanisms exist to prevent transmission to non-consenting recipients. Robust compliance programs, including clear opt-in disclosures and suppression lists, reduce litigation risk under both state and federal regimes.
How to Verify Payment Status
The sole authorized source for information remains the official settlement website at www.bottomsTextSettlement.com. Class members with questions about their specific payment may contact the administrator at the email or phone number provided in the April 1, 2026, update. No other websites or third-party services are affiliated with the distribution.
Important Disclaimers
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult qualified counsel for advice concerning their individual circumstances. All statements of fact are drawn from court records, the settlement agreement, and official notices issued by the administrator. The settlement website and court docket provide primary source materials.
As of April 2026, the bottom text settlement payment process demonstrates the practical operation of class action mechanisms in resolving consumer disputes efficiently. Eligible recipients who filed timely claims are now receiving their awards, closing another chapter in litigation addressing modern digital marketing practices.
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