Per Diem While on Temporary Duty

Two former Forest Service employees appealed the Claim Group's denial of their claim for additional per diem. The claimants argued that the Forest Service was without authority to reduce their per diem incident to their temporary duty assignments. Their original travel orders authorized a limited per diem allowance, but an increase was made to that standard rate after their supervisor was informed that the regulations were being misapplied. The claimants contended that the Forest Service violated its own regulations by denying the full amount for meals and miscellaneous expenses. The Federal Travel Regulations authorize only such per diem as is justified by the travel circumstances. The Forest Service Manual allows exceptions to the standard per diem rate only under limited circumstances, none of which is applicable in this case. Therefore, GAO held that the two employees were entitled to the standard per diem rate. Accordingly, the claimants' appeal was upheld.