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Claim for Relocation Expenses

B-206011 May 03, 1982
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Highlights

A certifying officer requested an advance decision as to whether an employee was entitled to relocation expenses, incident to her transfer to another position, for which she was competitively selected. Upon selection, the claimant was told that relocation expenses would be authorized. However, a regional commissioner subsequently determined that the transfer was for the claimant's own convenience and was not in the best interests of the Government and that, therefore, relocation expenses should not be paid. The certifying officer asked if the determination not to allow relocation expenses was binding, since a competitive selection process was used to fill the position. GAO found that: (1) the transfer was for the claimant's benefit and not in the interest of the Government, and there was no showing that such a determination by the agency was erroneous, arbitrary, or capricious; and (2) the fact that the position was filled by competitive selection did not provide a basis for overturning the agency's determination, even though the claimant was erroneously advised that she would receive relocation expenses. Accordingly, the determination not to pay relocation expenses was sustained.

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