Public Assistance Fraud
Reward Program

Public Assistance Fraud Reward Program

Public Assistance Fraud Reward Program

Overview

CS/HB 515, Chapter 2014-119 , Laws of Florida, amends section 414.39, Florida Statutes , and requires the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), or the Director of DCF’s Office of Public Benefits Integrity (OPBI) to pay a reward to members of the public who provide and report original information relating to a violation of the State"s public assistance fraud laws, unless the reward is declined. The reward requirement is subject to availability of funds and may not exceed ten percent (10%) of the amount recovered or $500,000, whichever is less, in a single case. An individual who receives a reward based on a complaint reported through the Public Assistance Fraud Reward Program is not eligible to receive additional rewards through the Florida False Claims Act for Medicaid Fraud

To be eligible for a reward, the information and report must

  1. Be reported by an identifiable member of the public who is at least eighteen (18) years or older.
  2. Be reported to DCF, Department of Financial Services (DFS) , or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
  3. Related to criminal fraud upon public assistance program funds or a criminal violation of public assistance fraud laws by another person; and
  4. Must be the original information submitted that leads to the recovery of a fine, penalty, or forfeiture of property.

You will be ineligible for the reward if

  1. You have received a reward for providing information about Medicaid fraud pursuant to the Florida False Claims Act
  2. You report public assistance fraud and choose to opt out to receive a reward. *
  3. You want to remain anonymous. *
  4. Note: Additional restrictions may apply.

* Although you may not be eligible for a reward, we will still process your complaint and evaluate the report for investigative purposes. The process of a complaint moving from submission to investigation and criminal prosecution could take several years to reach a conclusion. There is no guarantee that your complaint will lead to prosecution.