[Request for Decision Concerning HUD Employee's Entitlement to Reimbursement for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses]

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requested a decision regarding a transferred employee's claim for reimbursement for temporary quarters subsistence expenses. The claimant contended that she was entitled to reimbursement for meals she and her family ate out for 3 days, since she had to disconnect her kitchen appliances at least 2 days prior to moving them to her new duty station. GAO held that HUD properly denied the claim, since the claimant: (1) had not vacated her old duty station or initiated travel to her new duty station; (2) had not initiated shipment of her household goods; and (3) could not submit the claim as miscellaneous expenses, since regulations regarding temporary quarters expenses governed the claim. Accordingly, the claim was denied.