Overpayment of Per Diem Allowances for Extended Periods of Training

Seventeen shipyard employees who attended training schools for periods in excess of 120 days were overpaid per diem because of failure by the personnel office to implement revised Joint Travel Regulations which reduced per diem payments for extended training. There is no basis for allowing the higher per diem for the period after the lower rates became effective. Since the overpayments resulted from administrative failures in implementing the regulations and the employees acted in good faith, the employees should report their claims to Congress under the Meritorious Claims Act.