Published: August 8, 2025
Individuals whose personal information was impacted by a January 2022 data breach involving Heartland Alliance organizations may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 from a class action settlement.
The settlement resolves claims that an unauthorized party accessed Heartland Alliance’s computer systems and stole sensitive information. The impacted entities include:
- Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
- Heartland Alliance Health
- Heartland Alliance International LLC
- Heartland Housing Inc.
- Heartland Human Care Services Inc.
According to the lawsuit, the data breach exposed private details such as names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, financial account information, and medical records.
Who Is Eligible to File a Claim
You may be eligible if your personal or sensitive information was affected by the breach that occurred around January 26, 2022. Individuals who received a notice about the incident or the settlement are likely included in the class.
Settlement Benefits
Ordinary losses
Class members can claim up to $1,000 for documented, unreimbursed expenses related to the breach. These may include:
- Bank fees
- Postage
- Gasoline for local travel
- Losses due to fraud or identity theft
- Other related charges
Losses must have occurred between January 26, 2022, and the start of the settlement notice process.
Extraordinary losses
Up to $5,000 is available for unreimbursed monetary losses that are documented and likely caused by the breach, such as identity theft or fraudulent tax returns. These claims require stronger proof and are only available if the losses aren’t already covered under the ordinary loss category.
Lost time
Eligible claimants can receive $22.50 per hour for up to three hours (a maximum of $67.50) for time spent dealing with the breach. A brief attestation of time spent is required.
Credit monitoring
Two years of credit monitoring services are available, including:
- Three-bureau credit report monitoring
- Identity theft insurance with a $1 million coverage limit
- Real-time alerts
- Access to fraud resolution services
How to Submit a Claim
Claims can be submitted online or by mail. The deadline to file is October 30, 2025.
Mailing address:
Wittmeyer v. Heartland
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391
Required Documentation
To file a claim, class members must include their unique class member ID found on the settlement notice. Depending on the type of claim:
- Ordinary and extraordinary loss claims require receipts or other documentation verifying the loss is tied to the breach. Self-prepared documents are not sufficient.
- Lost time claims require a signed statement confirming the hours spent.
- Credit monitoring claims require selecting the option on the claim form—no documents are needed.
Payment Methods
- Electronic payment (for online claim submissions)
- Paper check
- Credit monitoring enrollment (if selected)
Settlement Fund Distribution
The total settlement fund includes:
- Attorneys’ fees and litigation costs: Up to $300,000
- Service awards to class representatives: $2,500 each
- Credit monitoring: Costs depend on the number of claimants selecting this option
- Payments to class members: Remaining funds after deductions
Key Dates
- Deadline to opt out: September 30, 2025
- Deadline to submit a claim: October 30, 2025
- Final approval hearing: November 19, 2025
When Will Payments Be Made?
Payments and enrollment in credit monitoring will begin approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement and any appeals are resolved.
Why Was There a Settlement?
The lawsuit claimed Heartland Alliance failed to properly secure its data systems, allowing a cyberattack that compromised sensitive personal information. Plaintiffs alleged the breach increased the risk of identity theft, fraud, and other harm.
Heartland Alliance denies all allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid the burden and expense of prolonged litigation.
