| Reward | 15–30% of recovery |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division |
| Legal authority | 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733 |
| Fraud covered | Healthcare & Medicare/Medicaid, Government contracts & procurement, Customs & trade |
| Eligibility / shares | No minimum. 15–25% if the government intervenes; 25–30% if you proceed without intervention. Defendants owe treble damages plus per-claim penalties. |
| Anonymous filing | No — Complaint is filed under seal (identity hidden during the government's investigation, often years), but your name becomes public if the case proceeds. |
| Attorney | Required. Effectively mandatory — courts uniformly hold a relator cannot litigate qui tam pro se. Whistleblower attorneys work on contingency (no upfront cost). |
| Status | Active — record year FY2025. DOJ priorities: Medicare Advantage, tariff/customs evasion, defense procurement. |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive 15–30% of recovery.
- Administered by U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division.
- Complaint is filed under seal (identity hidden during the government's investigation, often years), but your name becomes public if the case proceeds.
- An attorney is effectively required (contingency — no upfront cost).
- No minimum. 15–25% if the government intervenes; 25–30% if you proceed without intervention. Defendants owe treble damages plus per-claim penalties.
How to report and claim your reward
- Retain a qui tam attorney (contingency — free to start)
- File a complaint under seal in federal district court
- Serve the DOJ with the complaint and a written disclosure of your evidence (31 U.S.C. § 3730(b)(2))
Track record
Good to know
The oldest and largest-paying whistleblower law in America ('Lincoln's Law'). Anti-retaliation protection under § 3730(h). Tips without an award path can go to agency OIG hotlines.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
For this program, yes — effectively mandatory — courts uniformly hold a relator cannot litigate qui tam pro se. Whistleblower attorneys work on contingency (no upfront cost).
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.