Frequently Asked Questions

What are the conditions for a demand or request for property or money to qualify as a claim?

The U.S. Code § 3729, also known as the False Claims Act, provides a comprehensive definition of what constitutes a claim. A claim refers to any demand or request for property or money, whether through a contract or other means. However, for a demand or request to qualify as a claim under this act, it must meet certain conditions. Firstly, the property or money must be presented to an agent, employee, or officer of the U.S. government. This means that the claim is directly related to the government and its operations. Secondly, the claim could be made to a grantee, contractor, or other recipient and be used or spent on behalf of the government. This implies that the claim is indirectly related to the government through its agents or representatives. The act also outlines several acts that could make an individual or company liable for false claims. These include knowingly and intentionally presenting a fraudulent or false claim for approval or payment, knowingly and intentionally causing to be used or made, uses, or makes a false statement or record as material for a fraudulent or false claim, and knowingly concealing or avoiding an obligation to pay the government, among others.