Verizon Employees Who Smoke May Be Owed Compensation

By Steve Levine

Photo Credit: Unsplash | Updated: October 15, 2025

Status: Open to Claims

Estimated Payout: Varies

Proof required: Yes

About This Verizon Investigation

You may be eligible for compensation. Attorneys are reviewing whether Verizon improperly charged smoking or vaping employees extra health insurance fees called tobacco or wellness surcharges. If you work at Verizon or worked there between 2020 and 2025 and you paid a tobacco surcharge, you may have a claim. Some plans also apply vaccine or other wellness related surcharges.

• Typical tobacco or wellness surcharges reported can be $50 to $100 or even more per month
• Spousal or dependent surcharges may appear in some plans
• Plans can apply fees when wellness steps are not completed

How Do I Qualify

The lookback focuses on 2020 through 2025. You may qualify if:

• You currently work for Verizon or worked there between 2020 and 2025
• You were enrolled in Verizon employer health insurance
• You smoke or vape or were categorized as a tobacco user
• You paid a tobacco or wellness surcharge deducted from your paycheck or charged through premiums

What Is a Tobacco or Wellness Surcharge

A tobacco or wellness surcharge is an added fee some employers charge workers who smoke, vape, or do not complete wellness requirements. These fees are often between $50 and $100 per month and are added to premium costs.

What Proof Can Strengthen Your Case

Helpful items include:

• Pay stubs showing a tobacco or wellness surcharge line
• Benefits summaries or plan documents
• Open enrollment confirmations or HR emails

You can still submit even if you do not have all of these documents.

Can You Still Qualify If You Quit Smoking or Vaping

Yes. If you paid surcharges between 2020 and 2025 while at Verizon you may qualify even if you have since quit.

How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?

Other Verizon Class Actions and Investigations

More Verizon related cases covered on OpenClassActions:

• $100M Verizon Administrative Fees Settlement — alleged hidden administrative charges on postpaid plans. Claims period is closed. Typical payouts reported were about $15 to $100.


• Verizon Pension Plan Recipients Investigation — for retirees and beneficiaries with questions about pension payout calculations and plan practices.