[Transferred SSA Employee's Claim for Subsistence Expenses]

A Social Security Administration employee claimed reimbursement for temporary quarters subsistence expenses (TQSE) incident to his transfer from his official duty station, contending that: (1) his execution of a 1-year lease for an apartment was a matter of convenience, since he was unable to find suitable housing before his transfer; (2) he would have been forced to move after the birth of his second child, since the apartment was too small for his family; and (3) he purchased permanent housing within 5 weeks of his transfer. GAO held that the employee was entitled to reimbursement of TQSE, since: (1) he intended to remain in temporary housing only until he found suitable alternative housing; (2) his lease contained an early termination clause which he intended to exercise; (3) most of his household goods remained packed and in storage; and (4) he diligently looked for and found permanent housing within a reasonable period of time. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.