Reimbursement of Actual Subsistences Expenses Based on Unusual Circumstances

A review was requested of an earlier decision ruling that authorization of reimbursement of subsistence expenses on an actual expense basis was not proper. Federal law permits reimbursement for actual subsistence expenses for travel to high cost areas designated in travel regulations. Agencies which believe that other localities should be so designated should request the General Services Administration (GSA) to add those localities to the listing in the travel regulations. GSA may make appropriate changes in criteria for determining when "unusual circumstances" exist for the purposes of justifying reimbursement of actual expenses and is not precluded from modifying the Federal Travel Regulations.