Flint Water Crisis Settlement Sign Up—How To Register Before Deadline

By Seren Morris On 3/29/21 at 11:19 AM EDT

U.S. Flint Michigan Water Flint Water Crisis

Today is the last day to register a claim in the Flint Water Settlement Program, which is worth a total of around $641 million. If you were affected, find out below how to register before the deadline.

In April 2014, Flint's water supply was switched from the city of Detroit to the Flint River. Corrosive water caused lead to leach from pipes, which contaminated the supply and poisoned Flint's residents. A dozen people died of Legionnaire's Disease, which was blamed on the water supply.

The City of Flint, Michigan, McLaren Regional Medical Center, and Rowe Professional Services Company have added to the fund, with the former two contributing $20 million each, and the latter contributing $1.25 million, bringing the total to $641.2 million.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a statement: "While no amount of money will heal the wounds inflicted on this community, we are glad to see more entities step up and take responsibility. The residents of the City of Flint deserve justice and they deserve a resolution to these lawsuits."

Most of the settlement, 79.5 percent, will go to those who were children at the time, as they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning. Eighteen percent will go towards damage to adults and property, 2 percent will go to special education, and 0.5 percent will be for loss to businesses.

More than 33,000 people have registered to be part of the settlement, as reported by Michigan Radio. However, if anyone affected by the water crisis has not yet registered, today is their last chance.

The water tower at the Flint Water Plant in Flint, Michigan, looms large over the city March 4, 2016. Today is the last day to register to make a claim in the Flint Water Settlement Program. Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty

How to register for the Flint Water Crisis Settlement

To register to be a part of the settlement, the registrant must fit into one of the following descriptions:

They owned or lived in a residence served by the Flint Water Treatment Plant (FWTP), or were legally liable for the payment of bills for such water from April 25, 2014, to November 16, 2020.
They owned or operated a business served by the FWTP, or were legally liable for the payment of bills for such water from April 25, 2014, to November 16, 2020.
They were exposed to water from the FWTP for at least 21 days during any 30-day period, from April 25, 2014, to November 16, 2020.
They were exposed to the water from the FWTP and diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease from April 25, 2014, to December 31, 2018.