Claim for Reimbursement of Household Goods

GAO was asked to determine whether a new employee may be reimbursed for the cost of household goods which were sold or given away because he was erroneously advised that the government does not pay the relocation expenses of a new employee. The claimant sold his car and purchased a van, trailer, and cartop carrier to transport as much of his household goods as possible. Seven months later, the claimant was informed that he was eligible to receive reimbursement for travel and transportation expense for his relocation. He signed the required employee agreement and submitted a travel voucher for approval. The voucher included the losses incurred in selling or disposing of various household items and personal effects, costs of items purchased to make the move, and transportation of the household goods packed on the van. The claimant was reimbursed for transportation and per diem expenses. The Forest Service recommended that the claimant be reimbursed for the items disposed of and sold, but only at the depreciated rate. Also, the Forest Service recommended that the claim be submitted to Congress for consideration under the Meritorious Claims Act. GAO held that there was no legal basis upon which the employee's claim for reimbursement for the goods may be authorized. Also, the claim did not contain necessary elements of an extraordinary nature or of an unusual legal liability or equity that warranted its submission to Congress. Accordingly, the claim was disallowed and was not submitted to Congress.