The U.S. Department of Justice has unveiled the Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP), a groundbreaking initiative designed to reward individuals with payments ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for providing information that leads to criminal charges for fraud against federal programs.

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This announcement was made on October 20 by Attorney General Todd Blanche and the National Fraud Enforcement Division. Following a few days later, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent led a press briefing in St. Cloud, Minnesota, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Mehmet Oz, and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson.

Understanding the WHIP

What sets WHIP apart from existing whistleblower programs is the timing of the reward: payments are issued as soon as the DOJ files and makes public the criminal charges, without waiting for a conviction, forfeiture, or final resolution of the case.

The DOJ clarified in its FAQ that even reports on unsuccessful fraud schemes or those resulting in minimal or no losses are eligible for payment consideration when the whistleblower's information leads to criminal charges.

The reward amounts are solely at the DOJ's discretion and cannot be appealed. The Treasury Department has allocated $25 million to fund the program, which is initially set to run for three years.

All reports must be submitted through the portal america.gov/fraud; anonymous submissions must be filed through an attorney.

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