GAO was asked whether a Social Security Administration employee could be reimbursed real estate expenses incident to a permanent change of station. The employee requested and was granted a 1-year extension to complete the sale of her former residence, which remained unsold due to a depressed housing market. When she did sell her residence, she asked whether expenses incurred in the sale of the res...

DIGEST: THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATIONS (FTR) WERE AMENDED IN 1982 TO ALLOW AGENCIES TO EXTEND THE 2-YEAR PERIOD TO COMPLETE RESIDENCE TRANSACTIONS. UNLESS THE 30-DAY PERIOD IS SPECIFICALLY EXTENDED BY THE AGENCY. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MAY EXTEND THE 30-DAY PERIOD FOR AN EMPLOYEE WHO WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FTR AMENDMENT OR OF THE NEW TIME LIMIT ON REQUESTING AN EXTENSION. HAR...