Claim for Real Estate and Temporary Quarters Expenses

A Federal employee appealed the denial of a claim for temporary quarters expenses, contending that reimbursement is not limited to lodgings occupied while the employee attempts to locate a new residence, but covers any lodging temporarily occupied after having vacated the residence at the old duty station. The claimant stated that although he had purchased a new residence, the family was unable to occupy it because of the lack of furniture and functional utilities. The claim was denied on the grounds that a permanent residence had been obtained and the temporary quarters were not near the station. There was no basis to deny the claim on the grounds that the quarters were not located at either the old or new duty stations or that permanent residence quarters were obtained prior to the time the employee occupied those quarters. A determination that the temporary quarters were necessarily occupied was made and the claim was allowed. The employee also appealed the denial of a claim for real estate expenses for the purchase of a residence which is not located near the new duty station stating that he does not regularly report to the station. The disallowance was sustained because the station is not in a remote area and the employee does not commute to it daily. However, the claim may be reconsidered if the employee submits evidence that his new duty station was designated primarily for per diem purposes. The claims for temporary quarters subsistence expenses and for real estate expenses will be processed consistent with the above.