[Claim for Per Diem During Permanent Change-of-Station Transfer]

A Department of Agriculture authorized certifying officer questioned whether an employee may be paid per diem expenses for the period he was delayed en route to his new duty station because of the breakdown of his privately owned vehicle. Regulations prescribe that transferred employees must travel a minimum number of miles each day to be eligible for per diem expenses. GAO noted that, despite the delay, the employee averaged more than the prescribed daily minimum for the entire trip. Accordingly, per diem may be paid for the period of delay. However, his entitlement is subject to reduction since he resided with relatives during the period.