Claim for Temporary Quarters Subsistence Expenses

An authorized certifying officer of Department of the Interior requested an advance decision on whether an employee's claim for subsistence expenses while occupying temporary quarters incident to a permanent change of duty station may be paid. After reporting to his new duty station in Albuquerque, New Mexico and beginning occupancy of temporary quarters, the employee and his family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota. The employee was also on temporary duty and annual leave for several days during this period. This is the period in question. GAO held that the location of the temporary quarters is not significant in determining the employee's eligibility for subsistence expenses. The fact that the employee was away from his old and new duty stations and that he was on annual leave was not determinative of his entitlement. The employee may be paid temporary quarters expenses for the days he was on annual leave, provided that the agency determines that his taking leave did not cause an unwarranted extension of the period of his occupancy of temporary quarters. The claim may be paid accordingly.