> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.introw.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Submit a claim

> How partners file MDF proof of spend against an approved project - from the portal, a claim link, email, or an AI assistant - to draw down the budget.

> A claim is how a partner turns money they already spent into money you reimburse. After the activity runs, the partner submits proof of spend - receipts, invoices, creative - against their approved project. Every claim carries the project it belongs to, so it files against the right budget wherever the partner submits it, and only draws down the fund once it is approved.

Unlike a proposal, a claim is always tied to an **approved project**: the claim form carries that project, so the submission lands on it automatically and counts against its approved amount. Claims are accepted only while the fund's **claim window** is open.

## Before you start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure the claim step">
    The claim form, its proof-of-spend upload, approval, and the claim window are set up in [Configure the claim step](./configure-the-claim-form). The claim step must be enabled on the fund's timeline.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Have an approved project to claim against">
    A partner can only claim against a project that has been approved. See [Submit a proposal](/features/mdf/projects/guides/submit-a-proposal) and [Run the MDF lifecycle](/features/mdf/projects/guides/run-the-mdf-lifecycle).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Ways to submit

The claim link carries the project it belongs to, so the claim files against the right project whichever way the partner sends it. Pick the channels your partners already use.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://assets.introw.io/docs/features/mdf/claims/guides/submit-a-claim/shots/claim.png" alt="A marketing fund open on its budget, with the requests drawn against it and the claims partners have filed against those requests to be reimbursed." />
</Frame>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="From the project in the portal" icon="folder-open">
    The partner opens their approved project and submits the claim form there - the most direct path when they are already working the project. They attach receipts and invoices in the proof-of-spend upload field and submit.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="From a claim link" icon="link">
    Send the claim link - in a reminder, an email, or a portal message - and the partner fills it in from anywhere. The link carries the project, so the claim files against it and its budget without the partner hunting for the record.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="By email" icon="envelope">
    The partner forwards the receipts and details to your partner support address, and the AI agent reads the message and files the claim against the project for them. The [AI agent](/features/ai/partner-support) must be enabled for your program.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="With an AI assistant (MCP)" icon="robot">
    A partner working in an assistant connected to Introw over MCP can submit the claim from there, without switching tools. See [Connect an MCP client](/features/developer/mcp/guides/connect-an-mcp-client) and [Partner Connect](/features/partner-connect).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Verify it worked

Submit a test claim against an approved project and confirm it appears in [Submissions](https://app.introw.io/submissions) on the right project with its proof uploads attached. Once approved (or auto-approved by AI review), confirm the project's available budget draws down by the claim amount.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Configure the claim step" icon="book-open" href="./configure-the-claim-form">
    Set up the claim form, proof uploads, approval, and the claim window.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run the MDF lifecycle" icon="book-open" href="/features/mdf/projects/guides/run-the-mdf-lifecycle">
    Review claims and process the full request-to-payout flow.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Implementation reference" icon="screwdriver-wrench" href="../technical">
    Full claim and proof-of-spend configuration options.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>