SiriusXM $28M Settlement Payments Delayed by Appeal - October 2026 Update
By Abida SultanaUpdated
SiriusXM's $28M TCPA settlement was approved July 6, 2026, but a Seventh Circuit appeal by an objector has frozen all payments to 427,627 claimants.
Quick Facts
- Settlement amount: $28 million ($26.62M net after deductions)
- Case: Campbell et al. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., No. 2:22-cv-02261
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- Judge: Chief Judge Colin S. Bruce
- Final approval date: July 6, 2026
- Appeal filed: August 27, 2026 (Seventh Circuit, No. 26-2779)
- Claim deadline: March 21, 2026 (closed)
- Number of claimants: 427,627
- Payment status: Frozen - payments cannot go out until the appeal is resolved
If you filed a claim in the SiriusXM TCPA class action and you're wondering where your check is, here's the answer: an objector has appealed the final approval order to the Seventh Circuit, and that appeal has frozen all payments. Until the court rules - or the appeal is dropped - the $28 million settlement fund isn't going anywhere.
What the Lawsuit Was About
The case, Campbell et al. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc. (No. 2:22-cv-02261), was filed under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Plaintiffs alleged that SiriusXM contacted class members using automated dialing systems or artificial and prerecorded voices without the required prior express written consent - a classic TCPA violation. SiriusXM denied the allegations and didn't admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
The settlement covered approximately 20.2 million class members who may have received unwanted calls or texts from SiriusXM. About 427,627 people - roughly 2.1% of the potential class - submitted valid claims before the March 21, 2026 deadline. Each claimant is in line for a pro-rata share of the $26.62 million net fund, once the appeal clears.
Why Payments Are on Hold
Chief Judge Colin S. Bruce issued the final approval order on July 6, 2026, clearing the path for the settlement to proceed. But on August 27, 2026, an objector named Nigel Cohen filed a notice of appeal to the Seventh Circuit (No. 26-2779), challenging the approval.
Under federal class action law, payments in a settled case generally can't be distributed while an appeal of the final approval order is pending. The concern is that if an appellate court later overturns the approval, payments already sent out are nearly impossible to recover. The settlement administrator is required to hold the funds until the appeal is resolved.
Earlier in the district court proceedings, Cohen had objected to the settlement terms and the attorney fee request. He also challenged the National Consumer Law Center's role as a cy pres recipient, citing its alleged past ties to class counsel. The district court denied that motion as moot.
How Long Will the Delay Last
Federal appeals of class action settlements don't move quickly. Briefing schedules, court calendars, and the possibility of oral argument mean the Seventh Circuit's decision could take many months. Appeals of this type commonly take six months to a year or more from filing to a decision.
It's possible the appeal ends sooner if it's voluntarily dismissed - some objector appeals settle or get withdrawn through side negotiations before a ruling. But there's no sign of that yet, and no timeline has been set for the Seventh Circuit's decision.
Your payment is coming. The $28 million fund is secured and isn't going away. The only question is when the Seventh Circuit clears the path for distributions to begin.
What Claimants Should Do Now
There's nothing you need to do right now. Your claim is on file, and you don't need to refile or take any action to preserve your place in the distribution. When the appeal is resolved and payments are authorized, the administrator will process distributions using the payment method you selected when you filed.
If your contact information or payment preferences have changed since you filed, check the official settlement website to see if updates are possible. The claim deadline is closed, but claims already on file remain valid. Watch the official settlement website for updates, and ignore any unsolicited messages offering early payment or asking for your financial information - those are scams.
The Seventh Circuit docket number for the appeal is No. 26-2779. Court filings are publicly accessible through PACER.
Sources: Campbell et al. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., No. 2:22-cv-02261 (C.D. Ill.); openclassactions.com (Sept. 2026); Seventh Circuit appeal No. 26-2779 (filed Aug. 27, 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are SiriusXM settlement payments delayed?
- An objector named Nigel Cohen filed an appeal with the Seventh Circuit on August 27, 2026 (No. 26-2779), challenging the final approval order issued July 6, 2026. Federal law prevents payments from going out while such an appeal is pending, so the $28 million fund is frozen until the Seventh Circuit rules or the appeal is withdrawn.
- Do I need to do anything to keep my claim valid?
- No. If you filed before the March 21, 2026 deadline, your claim stays on file automatically. When the appeal resolves and payments are authorized, the administrator will distribute funds using the payment method you originally selected when you filed.
- How much will I get from the SiriusXM settlement?
- Each of the 427,627 claimants will receive a pro-rata share of the $26.62 million net fund (the $28 million total minus attorneys fees and administration costs). The final per-claimant amount will be calculated once the appeal clears and the distribution process begins.
- What is the Seventh Circuit appeal about?
- Objector Nigel Cohen challenged the July 6, 2026 final approval order and a June 16, 2026 district court order. He had previously objected to the settlement terms, the attorney fee request, and the National Consumer Law Center's cy pres role due to alleged past ties to class counsel. The district court denied his reconsideration motion as moot before the appeal was filed.
- When will SiriusXM settlement payments actually go out?
- There is no set date. Federal appeals of class action settlements typically take six months to a year or more to resolve. Payments will go out after the Seventh Circuit rules in the settlement's favor or the appeal is withdrawn. Check the official settlement case docket (No. 26-2779) for updates.
Disclaimer: ClaimActions.com is not a law firm, attorney, or settlement administrator. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
