[Decision Concerning SSA Employee's Entitlement to Full Reimbursement of Real Estate Expenses]

A transferred Social Security Administration (SSA) employee claimed full reimbursement for real estate expenses she incurred incident to the sale of her residence. SSA had held that the claimant was only entitled to reimbursement for half of the expenses, since she had filed a petition for separation from her spouse, who also held title to the property. The claimant contended that she: (1) withdrew the separation petition; (2) remained legally married to her husband; and (3) had resided in the same household with him since their marriage. GAO held that there was no evidence to conclude that the claimant's marital status had changed. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.