[Request for Advance Decision Concerning Certification of Voucher for Incomplete Temporary Duty]

An advance decision was requested concerning a Department of Energy (DOE) employee's voucher for travel expenses incident to an incomplete assignment. Upon arrival at his temporary duty location, the employee was informed of the death of his father. Based on a determination by DOE officials that he was incapable of continuing his assignment, the employee was ordered to return home where he was placed on sick leave. Generally, an employee who interrupts or abandons a temporary assignment may be reimbursed only the cost of travel to the point of interruption or abandonment unless he has substantially completed the assignment. However, GAO has held that return travel expenses may be paid in cases where an employee is incapacitated due to illness prior to completing the assignment. Since the DOE employee was placed in a sick leave status upon his return, GAO held that he was entitled to reimbursement of his return travel expenses. Accordingly, the voucher may be certified for payment if otherwise correct.