A federal judge in Michigan has issued a new order allowing partial payments to adults with approved claims under the Flint water crisis settlement. The crisis, which began in 2014, affected over 100,000 residents exposed to lead and other contaminants in their drinking water.
Judge Judith E. Levy issued the order in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, approving a request from Special Master Deborah Greenspan to start the payments from a $626.25 million settlement fund.
The decision to proceed with partial payments immediately, while appeals continue, marks a change in the claims process. However, frustration grew after several missed deadlines in receiving compensation for those whose drinking water was contaminated with lead more than a decade ago. Victims have been waiting for claims payments since Nov 2021.
Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley reacted to the judges’ ruling.
“As a Flint resident, I certainly share the frustrations felt by residents over how long it has taken for the payments to be dispersed. I am thankful that Judge Levy has taken this step to begin distributing these funds. It is long overdue,” Neeley said in a statement.
The judge’s new order also authorizes payments to people with claims who were minors at the time of the crisis but are now adults, once initial payments to adults have begun.
Officials began issuing payments for property damage claims, capped at $1,000, in Dec 2025. The court sent out 8,251 award letters as of March 20, and more than 6,100 respondents have already responded, indicating how they wish to receive their payments, according to court documents. Reports show that approximately 4,000 children were exposed to high lead levels, and up to 14,000 children were exposed to lead-contaminated water, which can cause lasting cognitive and behavioral challenges. Researchers reported at least 12 deaths and 87 to 90 cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to the water crisis. Additionally, roughly 25% of Flint residents reported having PTSD after experiencing the crisis.
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