Request for Reimbursement of Miscellaneous Travel Expenses

An employee requested reimbursement for expenses for toilet articles and clothing he purchased in connection with emergency travel to perform temporary duty. Since his rapid departure precluded travel to his home to obtain clothing or toilet articles, he was informed by his supervisor that he would be reimbursed for the essentials he had to purchase. While on temporary duty, he purchased toilet articles and clothing for which he claimed reimbursement. The employee contended that, since he was not allowed to go home prior to his departure, he should have been reimbursed for his purchases which would have been unnecessary under normal travel circumstances. The use of government funds for the purchase of wearing apparel and personal furnishings is dependent on whether the expenditures were essential from the standpoint of carrying out the object of the appropriation involved and primarily for the benefit of the government, or whether the wearing apparel is such as the employee might be expected to furnish as part of the personal equipment necessary for him to perform the regular duties of his position. There was no basis for finding that the articles purchased by the employee were special clothing and equipment within the provisions of this guideline. Federal Travel Regulations provide that miscellaneous expenditures which are necessarily incurred by a traveler in connection with official business are allowed. However, clothing constituting ordinary items of wearing apparel and toiletry retained for personal use are not reimbursable under those regulations. Accordingly, the employee's request for reimbursement was denied.