[Request for Reconsideration of Claim for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses]

An employee requested reconsideration of a GAO decision that disallowed his claim for temporary quarters subsistence expenses because he occupied permanent quarters. The employee had been transferred and authorized relocation expenses, including temporary quarters allowance. He moved into his new home before construction was completed and argued that his situation warranted payment since he did not incur househunting expenses or temporary storage costs and, therefore, saved the Government money. GAO responded that, when an employee moves into a house which he has decided to purchase, even though final settlement has not yet taken place, he has ceased to occupy temporary quarters, regardless of whether the residence may have been unsuitable for family occupancy or that a savings to the Government may have resulted. Further, GAO stated that, since the employee intended to make the dwelling his permanent residence, temporary quarters subsistence expenses could not be authorized. Accordingly, the prior decision was affirmed.