[Claim for Reimbursement of Expenditures for Purchase of Personal Articles While on Emergency Travel]

An advance decision was requested as to whether a Consumer Product Safety Commission employee was entitled to reimbursement of the cost of personal articles he purchased while performing temporary duty under emergency circumstances. The employee was advised that the trip was for 1 day and that it was not necessary to pack any items. When the assignment was extended 2 days, the employee was informed that he would be reimbursed for the purchase of necessary clothing and personal articles. The employee's purchases included the replacement of clothing damaged while performing his assignment. GAO has held that an employee may be reimbursed for the purchase of special clothing or equipment necessary in the performance of assigned duties. However, GAO found that: (1) there was no basis for considering the purchases to be special clothing or equipment; (2) the expenditures were not reimbursable under Federal Travel Regulations; and (3) any claim for loss or damage of clothing should be submitted to the Commission under governing regulations. Accordingly, the employee may not be reimbursed for the purchase of items in connection with a temporary duty assignment.