Claim by Military Member for Temporary Lodging Allowance

An Army master sergeant requested reconsideration of a settlement disallowing his claim for temporary lodging allowance (TLA) for his family. While stationed in West Germany, he received orders transferring him to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., and authorizing concurrent travel for his dependents. He obtained permission for his family to remain in government quarters in Germany while he sought suitable housing in the Washington area. His orders were changed to Fort Huachuca, Arizona before he left Germany on December 27, 1977, and he received approval for his dependents to remain in government housing until April. Ten days before leaving Germany, his family moved into a guest house, where they stayed until their departure. Once the family was reunited at Fort Huachuca, the sergeant submitted a claim for TLA for the 10 days his dependents spent in the guest house in Germany. He was told he would not be reimbursed because he had not departed with his dependents. His appeal to the Claims Division was denied because his dependents remained in Germany more than the 60 days permitted by Joint Travel Regulations after his permanent change of station. Accordingly, the action was sustained.