Request for Decision Concerning Working Meals Expenses

An advance decision was requested as to the allowability for payment of expenses incurred for meals by a Federal employee at several working lunches and dinners held at the employee's official duty station. GAO was not aware of any legislation which would allow meals to be furnished at Government expense to an employee under these circumstances. The subsistence expenses of civilian employees at their official duty stations are personal to the employees and, in the absence of specific authority, may not be provided at Government expense. Accordingly, there was no basis for Government reimbursement for meals of employees who take part in review team conferences at their headquarters.