Request for Reimbursement for Transportation of Household Goods

A certifying officer of the Department of Interior requested an advanced decision on the claim of an employee for the shipment of his household goods to a changed permanent duty station. He was authorized transportation of household goods on an actual expense basis via a Government bill of lading. This authorization was amended to permit the employee to move himself, limiting the employee's reimbursement to the amount the move would have cost on an actual expense basis using a Government bill of lading. The employee moved and was reimbursed the actual out-of-pocket expenses he incurred in the move. The employee requested that he be paid the difference between his actual expenses and the cost of a move by Government bill of lading. The certifying officer inquired whether this may be done noting the inequity that would exist between an employee who is authorized reimbursement only of his actual expenses and an employee who uses the commuted rate system. GAO noted that the agency was incorrect in reimbursing the employee on an actual expense basis and stated that the entitlement should be determined under the commuted rate system and reimbursement made on that basis, if otherwise proper.