Entitlement to Reimbursement of Real Estate Expenses

An advance decision was requested regarding the reclaim voucher of a Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service employee for the expenses of selling a residence at his old duty station. Upon approval of a transfer, the employee was authorized travel expenses, per diem, moving expenses, and miscellaneous expenses. Apparently, for budgetary reasons, the employee was not authorized expenses for the sale of his residence. However, after the transfer, the employee requested reimbursement for the costs of selling his residence. Since this expense was not originally authorized, the agency certifying officer questioned the employee's entitlement to reimbursement. GAO held that the employee was entitled to reimbursement of expenses for the sale of his residence at the old duty station in accordance with Federal travel regulations. While some relocation expenses are discretionary, the regulations contemplate that certain allowances will be allowed uniformly to all transferred employees, and expenses in connection with residence transactions fall into this category. GAO pointed out that budget constraints are not an acceptable reason for the denial of relocation expenses to a transferred employee. Accordingly, the voucher should be certified for payment.