[Decision Concerning USDA Employee's Entitlement to Temporary Quarters Subsistence Allowance]

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested a decision concerning a transferred employee's claim for reimbursement for his temporary quarters subsistence expenses. USDA denied the claim, since the employee had returned to his old residence on weekends. GAO held that the employee had vacated his former residence, since he: (1) had packed 90 percent of his household goods; and (2) returned to his former residence merely to prepare it for sale and keep his insurance in effect. Accordingly, the claim was allowed.