Request for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses in Early Return From Temporary Duty

A certifying officer requested an advance decision concerning a Federal employee's supplemental travel voucher. The employee had returned early from a training assignment due to an illness in her family. Her claim for return travel expenses was turned down because she had left her temporary duty station early. She subsequently took the test required for completion of the training assignment and received a certificate of training for completing the course. It is generally held that travel in connection with an illness of a family member is personal travel and cannot be reimbursed. However, costs of return travel from a temporary duty station where an employee substantially completes the assignment at no additional cost to the Government is permitted. In this case, the exception applied. The employee's travel expenses could be certified for payment.