A claimant is a person or organization that makes a formal claim for money, benefits or another right. You become a claimant when you file an insurance claim after a car accident, apply for unemployment or Social Security disability benefits, submit a claim form in a class action settlement, or ask a court or agency to award you something. The word is used across insurance, government benefits and the courts, and its exact meaning depends on where it appears. This guide explains what a claimant is, how the term is used in common situations, how it differs from words like plaintiff and applicant, and what claimants usually need to do.
Claimant at a glance
| Topic | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A person or entity that makes a claim for money, benefits or a right |
| Common settings | Insurance claims, unemployment, Social Security, workers’ compensation, class action settlements, bankruptcy, government claims |
| Other side | Usually an insurer, employer, government agency, estate or defendant |
| Related terms | Plaintiff, applicant, beneficiary, creditor, petitioner |
| Key duty | Prove the claim and meet the filing deadlines |
What does claimant mean?
A claimant is simply the party asking for something they believe they are owed. The claim might be for an insurance payment, a government benefit, a share of a settlement or damages for an injury. The claimant usually has to show that the claim is valid, often with documents, and must follow the rules and deadlines that apply to that type of claim.
The word does not mean the person has won or is entitled to anything yet. It only describes the role of the person making the request. Whether the claim succeeds depends on the facts, the policy or law involved, and the decision of the insurer, agency or court.
Where the word claimant is used
Insurance claims
In insurance, the claimant is the person asking the insurer to pay. A first-party claimant files with their own insurance company, such as a homeowner reporting storm damage. A third-party claimant files against someone else’s policy, such as a driver hit by another driver who seeks payment from that driver’s insurer. The policyholder and the claimant are not always the same person.
Unemployment benefits
Federal regulations define an unemployment insurance claimant as a person who files a claim for benefits under any state or federal unemployment compensation law. State workforce agencies use the word on notices about eligibility, weekly certifications and appeals.
Social Security disability
The Social Security Administration and its hearing judges usually call the person applying for disability benefits the claimant. The disability rules themselves speak to “you,” which the regulations define as the person who applies for benefits or for whom an application is filed. Decisions and hearing notices typically refer to “the claimant” throughout.
Workers’ compensation
An employee who reports a work injury and asks for medical care or wage benefits is the claimant in a workers’ compensation case. The employer and its insurance carrier are on the other side. Each state runs its own system, with its own forms and deadlines.
Class action settlements
When a class action settles, class members who submit a claim form become claimants. Their payments come from the settlement fund, often on a pro rata basis. Our HexClad lawsuit guide shows how claim deadlines and proof of purchase rules work in a real settlement.
Bankruptcy, estates and government claims
- Bankruptcy: A creditor who files a proof of claim asks to be paid from the debtor’s estate.
- Estates: A person with a claim against someone who died, such as an unpaid bill, files it with the estate during probate.
- Claims against the U.S. government: Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, an injured person usually must first file an administrative claim, often on Standard Form 95, within two years before suing.
Claimant vs. plaintiff vs. applicant
| Term | Who it describes | Where it is common |
|---|---|---|
| Claimant | Anyone making a claim for money, benefits or a right | Insurance, benefits, settlements, some court systems |
| Plaintiff | The person who files a civil lawsuit in court | U.S. civil courts |
| Applicant | A person applying for a benefit, license or program | Government programs, permits, jobs |
| Petitioner | A person who files a petition asking a court or agency to act | Family court, appeals, some agencies |
| Beneficiary | A person entitled to receive benefits under a policy, trust or plan | Life insurance, trusts, retirement plans |
In U.S. courts, the person who files a civil lawsuit is usually called the plaintiff. In England and Wales, the Civil Procedure Rules replaced “plaintiff” with “claimant” in 1999, so British news and court documents use claimant for the person who sues.
What a claimant usually needs to do
- Check the deadline. Insurance policies, benefit programs and settlements all set time limits. Missing one can end the claim.
- Use the right form or channel. File through the insurer, agency portal or official settlement website, not a third-party site.
- Gather proof. Keep receipts, photos, medical records, pay stubs, police reports or purchase records that support the claim.
- Answer requests promptly. Insurers and agencies often ask for more information or an interview.
- Keep copies. Save confirmation numbers, letters and emails.
- Appeal if denied. Most systems allow an appeal or reconsideration, again with a deadline.
Common mistakes claimants make
- Waiting too long and missing a filing or appeal deadline.
- Giving recorded statements to another person’s insurer without understanding what they are for.
- Sending incomplete documents, which can delay or reduce a payment.
- Using unofficial “claim” websites that charge fees or collect personal data.
- Assuming the first offer or decision is final when an appeal is available.
Rules differ by state and by program. A licensed attorney in your state, or a free legal aid office, can tell you how the rules apply to your situation.
If your claim is against a business, you will usually need its exact legal name and registered agent. Our guide to the South Carolina corporation search shows how to find both in one state’s records.
Conclusion: what a claimant is
A claimant is the person or organization asking for money, benefits or another right, whether from an insurer, a government agency, a settlement fund, an estate or a court. Being a claimant does not guarantee a payment. It means you have started a process in which you must support your claim and meet its deadlines. For other plain-English guides, see our TurboTax lawsuit explainer and the Legal Guides section.
Frequently asked questions
What is a claimant in simple terms?
A claimant is someone who asks for money, benefits or a right they believe they are owed, such as an insurance payment or unemployment benefits.
Is a claimant the same as a plaintiff?
Not always. In the U.S., a plaintiff is someone who files a lawsuit. A claimant can file a claim without going to court, such as with an insurer or a government agency. In England and Wales, the person who sues is called the claimant.
What is a third-party claimant?
A third-party claimant is someone who files a claim against another person’s insurance policy, such as a driver seeking payment from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Who is the claimant in a Social Security case?
The person applying for benefits, or the person on whose behalf an application is filed, is called the claimant in Social Security decisions and hearings.
Does being a claimant mean I will get paid?
No. It only means you have made a claim. The insurer, agency or court decides whether the claim is valid and how much, if anything, is paid.
Sources
- Code of Federal Regulations: 20 CFR § 651.10, definition of unemployment insurance claimant (via Cornell LII)
- Code of Federal Regulations: 20 CFR § 404.1502, Social Security disability definitions (via Cornell LII)
- Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b), and Standard Form 95
- U.S. Courts: Official Bankruptcy Form 410, Proof of Claim
- Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (England and Wales)