[Claim for Living Quarters Allowance for Labor Employee]

The Department of Labor (DOL) requested a decision concerning an employee's claim for a full living quarters allowance while he lived on a sailboat he purchased during his tour of duty. GAO noted that the Department of State, under its authority to grant living quarters allowances when government quarters were unavailable, concluded that the sailboat was a recreational vehicle and would not classify it as living quarters. GAO held that DOL had the discretion to determine whether the sailboat was suitable quarters for the purpose of granting an allowance. Accordingly, DOL should reimburse the employee subject to its determination.