The Federal Trade Commission does not operate a single new consumer refund program, but rather oversees multiple recovery efforts tied to individual enforcement actions against companies. Each program targets consumers harmed by a specific company’s practices—from Grubhub’s deceptive earnings claims to Epic Games’ unauthorized charges—with refunds distributed through the FTC’s central portal as each settlement matures.
This matters because the programs vary widely in eligibility, payment method, and deadlines. Consumers harmed by different companies need to check separately for each one rather than enroll in a catch-all. Knowing which program applies to you is the first step to claiming money owed.
Table of Contents
- How the FTC’s Refund Structure Actually Works
- Four Major Programs Paying Out Now (September 2026)
- How to Check If You’re Eligible
- Payment Methods and How Long You Have
- What These Programs Do Not Cover
- Frequently Asked Questions
How the FTC’s Refund Structure Actually Works
The FTC does not create a universal refund program each time it wins an enforcement case. Instead, each settlement includes its own distribution plan, payment timeline, and eligibility rules. The FTC’s central refunds page lists all active programs, their deadlines, and payment methods in one place, making it the single most useful starting point for any consumer seeking a refund.
The scale varies dramatically between programs. Invitation Homes paid out $47.2 million in 444,131 checks to residents charged undisclosed fees, while Grubhub is distributing $23.8+ million to 640,038 drivers and diners. These are not new programs announced this week—they are ongoing distributions from settlements that reached different milestones at different times.
Four Major Programs Paying Out Now (September 2026)
- *Grubhub (August 2026).** The FTC alleged Grubhub misled food delivery drivers about earnings and wrongfully blocked consumer accounts, preventing access to gift card balances. The settlement is sending $23.8+ million to 640,038 affected drivers and diners. Drivers who were deceived about per-order pay and diners locked out of their accounts are the primary recipients.
- *Epic Games’ Fortnite (2026).** Round 3 of the Fortnite refund distribution sent approximately $47 million to consumers charged for unwanted in-game purchases. The FTC found that Epic made it difficult to decline charges and that consent was not clearly obtained. Eligible parents and account holders can verify their claim status through the FTC portal.
- *AT&T Data Throttling (August 2026).** The FTC is sending Zelle payments through an August 2026 program to former unlimited-data customers whose speeds were throttled without proper disclosure. This targets AT&T customers who did not accept previous check or PayPal payments and are receiving their refund through Zelle instead.
- *Invitation Homes (March 2026).** The settlement distributed $47.2 million in 444,131 checks to residents who were charged undisclosed and unlawful lease-renewal fees. Payments were made in March 2026, so most eligible residents have already received their checks. If you were a resident during the violation period and did not receive payment, check the status through the FTC portal.
How to Check If You’re Eligible
The FTC refunds portal lists each program’s eligibility requirements, deadlines, and claim status lookup tools. To check if you qualify for any active program: Most programs require you to have been a customer or affected party during a specific time window. For Grubhub, that includes drivers active during the deception period and diners with blocked accounts.
For Fortnite, you need proof of unwanted charges. For AT&T, you must have held an unlimited data plan during the throttling period.
- Search the portal for the company name (Grubhub, Epic Games, AT&T, Invitation Homes, or others)
- Review the eligibility dates and description of what the company did wrong
- Use the program’s claim-lookup tool to enter your information
- Note the deadline—missing it forfeits your refund
Payment Methods and How Long You Have
Programs use different payment methods based on contact information and prior refund attempts. Check, PayPal, and Zelle are the primary payment methods the FTC uses, and each program specifies which one applies to you. Some programs, like AT&T’s, use Zelle specifically to reach consumers who declined previous payment forms. Refunds remain valid for a set period—typically 90 days after the FTC sends the payment.
If you receive a check and do not cash it, contact the claims administrator listed on the program’s page before the deadline expires. Do not assume uncashed checks are automatically reissued; many programs require a request.
What These Programs Do Not Cover
No unified Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) consumer refund program was announced in 2026—the FTC’s enforcement actions remain the primary source of regulatory consumer refunds. Proposed legislation like the American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act remains unpassed and is not yet available as a program. These programs cover only consumers harmed by the specific companies involved.
If you were harmed by a different company or different practice, you would need to check for a separate settlement or class action suit. A company not listed on the FTC refunds page has not yet faced an FTC enforcement action that resulted in a consumer refund program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one application for all consumer refunds?
No. Each program has its own application process and eligibility rules. Use the FTC’s central refunds portal to search by company name and check your status for each program separately.
When will I get paid if I’m eligible?
Payment timing depends on the program. Some, like Invitation Homes, completed most distributions in March 2026. Others, like Grubhub and Fortnite, are still paying out as claims are processed. Check the program’s page for current status.
Do I have to pay taxes on a refund?
Tax implications vary. The FTC does not provide tax advice—consult a tax professional about whether your refund is taxable income in your situation.
What if I never got a check or payment that was supposed to come?
Contact the claims administrator for the specific program (listed on its page). Provide proof of eligibility and your payment details. Do not assume the payment failed—request a replacement before the deadline.