[Entitlement to Reimbursement for Housekeeping Expenses]

Pursuant to a request from a regional finance officer for the Bureau of Reclamation, GAO determined whether an employee was entitled to reimbursement for a house-hunting trip performed prior to a transfer. The employee made an advance house-hunting trip which was not authorized or approved by the agency, and he claimed entitlement to reimbursement on the basis that: (1) the advance house-hunting trip was beneficial and cost effective to the government; and (2) another employee was authorized a house-hunting trip under circumstances similar to his. GAO held that, under Federal Travel Regulations, prior authorization for a house-hunting trip is required. In the absence of written authorization, prior verbal or other informal approval by competent authority, or a showing of administrative error, an employee may not be reimbursed for house-hunting expenses. GAO also determined that, although a second employee was authorized a house-hunting trip under a revised agency policy which permitted advance house-hunting trips, it did not provide a basis to reimburse the employee in question. Accordingly, the claim was denied.