Claim for Actual Subsistence Expense

An employee of the General Services Administration appealed the denial of his claim for lunch expense in the amount of $2.75 while he performed official business in Newark, New Jersey. The employee, whose duty station was in New York City, traveled to a high-rate geographical area, whereupon he claimed that he was automatically entitled to actual subsistence expenses. Since his day's assignment was completed within 10 hours, the disallowance of his claim was sustained. Under the regulations, there is an absolute bar on the payment of per diem for travel of 10 hours or less.