Reimbursement for Meal

The employee concerned traveled from the east coast to the west coast on a temporary duty assignment. As a result of official duties, the employee had had a late lunch just prior to the plane's departure; consequently, he did not eat the dinner meal provided by the airline as it was only 1.5 hours after his lunch and served to him well in advance of the normal dinner hour. A claim was filed for reimbursement for the cost of the meal purchased after arrival at the temporary duty location. In cases involving an item $25 or less, claims should normally be handled by certifying and disbursing officers and need not be submitted to the Comptroller General for a decision. Payment in this situation may be made since the employee had a justifiable reason for his action.