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Permanent Change of Station Expenses

B-200841 Nov 19, 1981
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Highlights

An advance decision was requested concerning a claim of an Army employee for reimbursement of relocation expenses incurred incident to a permanent change of station. As a result of a reduction in force, the employee transferred to a new permanent station. At that time, he was not issued orders authorizing reimbursement of permanent change of station expenses. However, the employee was issued orders authorizing reimbursement of some of the expenses incurred at the time of his change of station. He submitted vouchers claiming permanent change of station travel, a househunting trip, temporary lodging and subsistence, miscellaneous expenses, lease cancellation expenses, transportation of household goods, and temporary storage. The employee, however, failed to submit receipts or other documentation, and the certifying officer sent the voucher to GAO to determine whether the employee should be reimbursed based upon the documentation submitted. The employee stated that all the receipts were lost or destroyed and that the request for reimbursement represented an honest attempt to average out expenses incurred during his permanent change of station. GAO held that, in accordance with Federal regulations, the employee should not be reimbursed for any expense incident to his househunting trip, storage expenses, lease cancellation, and lodging during his travel from his old residence to his new duty station. He should be reimbursed for his expenses for transportation of his household goods, miscellaneous charges, and temporary quarters subsistence. In addition, the employee should be authorized a per diem rate for food expenses incurred by his family and himself since receipts are not required for these expenses. Accordingly, the proper action should be taken on the vouchers submitted.

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