[Claim for Reimbursement of Meal Expenses]

An advance decision was requested regarding the authority of an accounting and finance officer to limit an employee's reimbursement for meal expenses in a high cost area. The employee had submitted a voucher in connection with a temporary duty assignment which included a claim of $38 for a single dinner. The accounting and finance officer disallowed the claim in excess of $28. In submitting a reclaim voucher, the employee stated that the meal expenses in question were consistent with what he would incur if traveling on personal business. He also questioned the authority of the accounting and finance officer to limit reimbursement for meal costs actually incurred. GAO stated that each disbursing officer has a responsibility to question unreasonable meal costs and determine the reasonableness of each case and has held that employees are only entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable meal expenses. GAO agreed with the accounting and finance officer that the employee's explanation that he was accustomed to paying $38 for a meal because of his overall lifestyle was not sufficient to justify payment of the excessive costs. GAO would not question the action taken. Accordingly, no additional amount was payable to the employee. GAO suggested that the agency adopt guidelines in terms of a percent or a specific dollar figure to put travelers on notice of the amount which could be claimed for meals.