Only by filing a qui tam lawsuit that results in a settlement or favorable judgment can a private party receive a recovery under the FCA. There are two requirements:
Filing a qui tam lawsuit: in order to be eligible to recover money under the Act, you must file a qui tam lawsuit. It is not enough to merely inform the government about the FCA violation.
A successful financial recovery: The person who files, the relator, receives an award only if -- and after -- the government recovers money from the defendant as a result of the lawsuit.