Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Nov. 08, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2022
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35628
Entity Registrant Name	PERFORMANT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-0484934
Entity Address, Address Line One	333 North Canyons Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Livermore
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94551
City Area Code	(925)
Local Phone Number	960-4800
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	PFMT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		74,278,495
Entity Central Index Key	0001550695
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false