Low-income Washingtonians to receive up to $120 from antitrust settlements against chicken and tuna corporations

OLYMPIA — Qualifying Washingtonians will receive a check for up to $120 as a result of antitrust lawsuits against large chicken and tuna corporations.

The state Attorney General's Office sued 21 companies in 2019 and 2020 for overcharging the cost of chicken and tuna.

The office recovered $35.5 million after settling with 15 of 19 broiler chicken producers and $5.1 million from three companies and a former CEO in the tuna industry.

Approximately $40.6 million will be allocated for households with income at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. More than 400,000 households will receive checks.

Single-person households will receive a $50 check and multi-person households will receive a $120 check.

Qualifying households include:

• A family of five with a household income of less than $61,495.
• A single parent raising three kids on an income of $52,500 or less.
• A single parent with two children making less than $43,505 per year.
• A single parent of one, or a retired couple living on two fixed incomes, that total less than $34,510.
• A retired individual who lives alone on a fixed income of less than $25,515 per year.

The first round of checks was mailed on Dec. 5 and all checks will be sent before Dec. 31. Those who don't receive a check by the end of the year but believe they qualify should visit https://www.refundcheck.atg.wa.gov/.