Senator Liu And NYTWA: Time Is Running Out For Uber/Lyft Drivers To Get Their Stolen Money Back!

March 6, 2025

20250305-nytwa-press-release.pdf

Thousands of drivers have until March 31st to claim $328M in settlement payments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Contact: (Liu) Soojin Choi |347-556-6335| press@johnliusenate.com
(NYTWA) Bhairavi Desai |917-945-7286| media@nytwa.org

Flushing, NY - State Senator John Liu today joined with Uber and Lyft drivers from the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) to urge those employed between 2014 and 2017 to claim their share of the NYS Attorney General $328 million Uber/Lyft Settlement Fund before the March 31st deadline. Over 60,000 drivers have already applied for their share, but 30,000 remain, many of whom are from immigrant communities who may be hesitant due to concerns about scams or unfamiliarity with the process. Liu and NYTWA joined drivers to raise awareness in the community that this is not a scam, and drivers should not lose their right to claim back their money.

State Senator John Liu, member of the Senate Transportation Committee, stated, “All workers deserve the wages they were promised, but this is a case of wage theft by these behemoth car service companies. If you drove for Uber or Lyft between 2014 and 2017, this is your money, plain and simple. However, many drivers in immigrant communities have not applied for their fair share, perhaps because immigrants are frequent targets of thieves and scammers or are disadvantaged by language barriers. We are grateful to the Taxi Workers Alliance and to Attorney General Letitia James for protecting these workers, and want these drivers to know that our offices will help every step of the way to ensure every eligible driver has the chance to get back what was taken from them.”

The settlement stems from an investigation by New York State Attorney General Leticia James following a complaint by NYTWA that found, between 2014 and 2017, Uber and Lyft illegally deducted the cost of a surcharge and sales tax from the drivers’ pay instead of charging it to the passenger.

Bhairavi Desai, Executive Director of the NY Taxi Workers Alliance stated, “Our union, NYTWA, filed the complaint and three federal lawsuits, the Attorney General investigated and the companies made a settlement to pay back $328 million. This money belongs to the drivers. We fought for eight and a half years to win it back and want to make sure no driver or their family is left behind. The process is confidential and easy. Please come to our union office for assistance. We will help you file for free and have staff who speak many languages.”

Attorney General Letitia James stated, “My office was proud to secure $328 million for Uber and Lyft drivers who were cheated out of their rightfully earned pay, and now we want to ensure that every eligible driver receives the funds they are owed. I encourage any Uber or Lyft driver in New York who thinks they may be eligible for this settlement to file a claim before the deadline.”

Drivers can apply to the settlement fund even if they are no longer working for the company, were previously fired by them, or moved out of the country. If the driver has passed away, a surviving family member can file on their behalf. Drivers will get money back if they worked for Uber any time between November 10, 2014 and May 22, 2017 or Lyft any time between October 11, 2015 and July 31, 2017.

Drivers will need their individual Claimant ID sent to them by Rust Consulting, the AG’s fund administrator, and then file the claim online. Drivers can retrieve their Claimant ID at the NYTWA office, call Rust Consulting, or contact Senator Liu’s office for more information.

NEW YORK TAXI WORKERS ALLIANCE