Claim for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses

An employee of the Department of the Army appealed a Claims Group settlement which denied his claim for additional reimbursement of temporary quarters subsistence expenses. The employee, upon transferring to his new permanent duty station, obtained temporary lodgings in a hotel for a month until he signed a lease and occupied permanent quarters. He expected his household goods to arrive but, due to a trucking strike, they did not arrive until a month later. The employee was allowed some subsistence expenses but he claimed additional subsistence from the date of the signing of the lease for approximately a month. He argued that since he did not have furnishings, his permanent residence was in essence temporary until the arrival of his household goods. An employee may not be reimbursed temporary quarters subsistence expenses during the period he occupies the residence in which he intends to remain, irrespective of the absense of his household goods. The settlement of the Claims Group was upheld.