[Claim for Reimbursement of Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses]

The Immigration and Naturalization Service requested a decision on the entitlement of an employee to reimbursement for temporary quarters subsistence expenses incident to a permanent change of station. The injured employee, who was on sick leave, was transferred from Hong Kong to Texas. On his arrival in Texas, he reported to his supervisor by telephone and officially entered duty in January 1983, without physically appearing at the office. After recuperating, he reported for duty in March 1983. The employee claimed temporary quarters expenses for periods in January while he was in Hong Kong and in March after he reported for work at his new duty station. There was an interruption of the employee's temporary quarters occupancy due to his illness. However, GAO found that it constituted a proper basis to permit an extension of a 30 consecutive-day temporary quarters requirement because the period was covered by approved sick leave. Accordingly, the employee was entitled to be reimbursed.