Update: On March 26, 2008, Judge Holwell appointed Daylight Forensic & Advisory LLC to serve as Independent Auditor of the Settlement. At the Settlement Fairness Hearing held on April 10, 2008, the Honorable Richard J. Holwell of the Southern District of New York approved the Settlement. To file a claim for a voucher, payment, or reimbursement from the Settlement, your Claim Forms must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2008.

Welcome to the New York City Impartial Hearing Order Settlement Website

If you received an impartial hearing order concerning a special education student that required the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to take action or make a payment, you may be entitled to payment and/or educational services through a proposed class action settlement.

To qualify for settlement benefits, you must meet the following requirements:

• Between December 13, 2000 and January 31, 2008, you obtained a favorable order by an Impartial Hearing Officer against the DOE, or a stipulation of settlement placed on the record at an impartial hearing with the DOE, AND
• The order or settlement was not fully and timely implemented.

Eligible class members may receive: (1) the payment required by the impartial hearing order, (2) repayment for educational expenses you paid because the DOE failed to follow the order, and/or (3) a voucher for up to $8,000 (or $15,000 in special circumstances) in educational services.

This site provides the following information:

• Important Dates and Deadlines;
• The Class Action Notice that describes the case and the rights of class members;
• The Claim Form that must be filled out to receive payment or a voucher from the settlement;
• Instructions to assist in completing the Claim Form;
• Case Documents if you would like additional information about the case;
• A List of Providers that will accept vouchers from the settlement;
• The Form to Request Exclusion to opt-out of Compensatory Relief Subclass and settlement benefits; and
• Answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding the case.

CLAIM FORMS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN JUNE 30, 2008.