You didn't need to have Facebook. It was what AARP shared with Facebook. "If you were an AARP member or a registered user of the AARP website, you may be owed money. The nonprofit organization has agreed to a $12.5 million settlement to resolve claim...

Because they are treating it as 1099 income, so you have to declare it with your taxes. I would contact venmo, let them know it was due to class action settlement and see if they can accept it on your behalf without upgrading or if they have an alter...