The Lewis Tobacco Settlement began its final phase in May 2024. What began with an estimated 19,000 claim requests ended with a total number of 6,449 allowable settlement claims. The initial distribution of funding to claimants is expected to be made in September 2024. As of March 29, 2024, the balance in the Lewis Certified Settlement Class Trust was $35,212,029.63. In a recent posting to the Omni Agent Solutions website dated March 29, 2024, the Trustees for this settlement provided an update to this process. In that posting, several key points were provided regarding the distribution of these funds. Listed below is a summary of this information.

• Most claimants have begun receiving a request to complete and return a Form W-9. It is important that these forms be completed and returned by July 15, 2024, The timely completion and return of the Form W-9 is a condition to receiving the initial distribution. Please follow carefully the instructions contained in this request.
• W-9 forms can be returned to Omni Agent Solutions electronically or sent through the US Postal Service. Uploading these forms to their website is strongly encouraged. Please do not call the clerk’s office of the Bankruptcy Court seeking information. The clerk’s office is not involved in the distribution process for allowed claims and does not have any information for the claimants.
• Beginning in May, Trustees began working on a process to make the initial distributions of funds to qualified claimants. It is anticipated that this process will take about 90 days.
• Regarding the timing of the initial distribution, in order to make sure that the distributions are accurate and efficient, no initial distribution will be made until at least September 15, 2024. Please do not call anyone asking for an update on the timing of distributions. No distributions will be made earlier than this date, and it is possible that the timing of distribution will be pushed back to later in 2024. More importantly, the timing of any distribution to you may also be determined by the Trustees’ receipt of your completed Form W-9.
• The amount that each claimant will receive cannot be calculated at this time. The allowed claims have multiple components, and the largest claim component is based on a formula (as set forth in the QSF Claims and Distribution Procedures). Because of the formula and because certain expenses are required to be paid prior to distributions, the initial distribution amounts will not be calculated until the time that the initial distribution is made. Again, please do not call anyone inquiring as to the amount of the distribution for any claimant as this information is not available.
• Claimants may call Omni Agent Solutions at 1-818-906-8300 in order to request a change of address form. If a distribution check is returned to the Trust because of an incorrect address and you do not provide a correct address, your right to a distribution may be forfeited.
• For the latest information regarding the case, please visit the Lewis Certified Settlement Class Trust’s claims website.