Human Resources Management Division

II. Advance Househunting Trip

When justified, you and your spouse traveling together, or either of you, may be authorized to make one round trip to your new duty station at NRCS expense to seek a permanent home. Separate round trips by you and your spouse (at different times) may be authorized provided the overall cost to NRCS does not exceed the cost of one round trip for you and your spouse if you were traveling together. Advance househunting trips must be accomplished before you report to work at your new duty station. A round trip by your spouse, if authorized, may be accomplished at any time before you relocate your family to your new duty station but not after 2 years from the effective date of your transfer. NRCS will extend this time for anytime you spent on furlough from NRCS in active military service.

You do not have an automatic right to an advance househunting trip. It is not a statutory; or automatic right because you are being transferred. Your new administrative officer is required to review your need for this expense in every case and your request could be denied. You are cautioned that your reimbursement for this travel cannot be allowed unless a travel authorization has been issued to you in advance to authorize the trip. It will describe the mode of travel, time allowed, date for reporting to the new duty station, and indicate that you have signed the required l2-month service agreement.

In the following situations an advance househunting trip cannot be authorized by NRCS for you:

• When the map distance between your old and your new duty station is less than 75 miles by a usually traveled surface route.

• When either your old or your new duty station, or both, are located outside of the United States, the common wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or the U.S. possessions.

• When you are assigned to a duty station for training under provisions of the Government Employees Training Act.

• When you are first appointed to Federal service and assigned to your first permanent duty station.

The length of your advance househunting trip at NRCS expense cannot exceed 10 calendar days, including your travel time. During the trip your salary is charged in WebTCAS to other leave-transfer. No more than 80 total hours may be charged to transfer leave in connection with your entire transfer, including any time for an advance househunting trip. (See section XV for additional information you need on how to charge transfer leave.)

Meals, lodging, etc. (per diem) and transportation expenses for an advance househunting trip (either by plane, train, bus or personal vehicle) for you and/or your spouse will be paid. Only reasonable daily expenses for local transportation while you are at the new duty station will be allowed. Generally, local transportation is by local transit systems, GSA contract rental car, commercially rented car or your personal vehicle; however, keep in mind that the type of local transportation you use during your advance househunting trip must be consistent with the type authorized for you to travel to your new duty station. For example, if you drove your personal vehicle, NRCS will expect you to use your personal vehicle for local transportation while househunting. Expenses for the use of taxis are limited to transportation between bus or train depots, airports, and your place of lodging at your new duty station for househunting purposes.

If your needs warrant NRCS to consider you for an advance househunting trip, complete the section titled Advance House Hunting Trip to Locate Permanent Residence on the enclosed Transfer Questionnaire (FNM-38C). If NRCS agrees, Form AD-202R Relocation Travel Authorization, will specifically provide for the trip. The trip must be authorized in writing before your travel begins, otherwise reimbursement to you for your travel expense will not be allowed.

A separate expense voucher must be submitted for any househunting trip expenses. This voucher should be prepared and submitted for approval to your administrative office as soon as the trip is completed.

Special rules for per diem expense apply when you travel by personal vehicle between your old and new duty station for advance househunting or final en route travel purposes..

NRCS employees approved for an advance househunting trip may elect one of two options for reimbursement. Employees must elect their option in writing.

Househunting Options:

Fixed Rate Method - A pre-determined lump sum amount based on the per diem rate for either the locale where lodging is obtained or the per diem for the new duty station. For an employee and spouse performing the househunting trip together the rate is determined by multiplying the applicable locality rate by 6.25. For an employee or spouse (only) this rate is determined by multiplying the applicable locality rate by 5. The number of days the transferee spends on a househunting trip does not impact the lump sum amount.

No lodging receipts are required.

Actual Expense (AE) Method of Reimbursement - A daily rate for lodging and meals based on the locality rate (DR 2300-002 7(q)(2)(a)) per diem rate. For spouse traveling with employee: 75% of employee’s daily rate. If the spouse travels alone the daily rate (per diem) is the same as the employee's.

Limited to a maximum of 10 days.

Lodging receipts required.

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