Human Resources Management Division
VII. Temporary Quarters
Your administrative officer will make a determination on temporary quarters for
you and your family and will establish the number of days needed. Temporary
quarters are not a statutory or automatic right because you are being
transferred.
You may be provided up to a maximum of 60 consecutive days by your
administrative officer (30 days with commercial relocation services) for
yourself together with each member of your family. The period of consecutive
days may be interrupted for your allowed travel time between your old and new
duty stations, and for any temporary duty assignments (i.e., assignments that
require you to travel).
A second period of up to 60 calendar days (approved in increments of 30 days) can
be considered by the FMD Division Director at National Headquarters (NRCS GM Title
130, Part 400, Subpart B Item 28) with the approval of your state
conservationist when there are compelling reasons for you to continue in
temporary quarters. Economic conditions associated with residence transactions
do not qualify you for additional days of temporary quarters and your
administrative officer or state conservationist cannot consider additional days
for this reason. Temporary quarters may be extended only in situations where
there is a demonstrated need. Such circumstances include acts of God, death of a
family member or incapacitating illness to yourself.
The normal length of time for temporary quarters is expected to average much
less than the maximum limits. Temporary quarters should be regarded as an
expedient to be used only as necessary until you and your family can move into
permanent quarters. Your administrative officer is authorized to approve
temporary quarters increments of up to 30 days and is expected to keep these
costs to a minimum.
The location of the temporary quarters must be within reasonable proximity of
your old or new duty station but cannot be at your old or new residence. Payment
of expenses for temporary quarters in other locations is not allowed unless
justified by circumstances unique to you or your family and are directly related
to your transfer. Of course, temporary quarters cannot be approved for reasons
unrelated to your transfer.
Subsistence expenses (lodging, meals, etc.) while in temporary quarters may
begin as soon as your travel authorization is issued, if it authorizes temporary
quarters. However, you must begin to use temporary quarters not later than 2
years from the date you reported for work at your new duty station or no later
than 30 days from the date your family vacates your home at your old duty
station.
When computing the length of time (days) allowed for temporary quarters at NRCS
expense, the time begins for you and all members of your family when either of
you begins use of such quarters for which you claim expenses. The time period
(days) runs concurrently for you and all members of your family. You may occupy
temporary quarters at one location while members of your family occupy quarters
at another location. (See limitations above.) Temporary quarters end when you or
any member of your family occupies permanent quarters.
You or members of your family are not eligible for temporary quarters when the
distance between your new official duty station and your old official duty
station is not at least 50 miles (FTR 302-6.4(b)) or more apart (as measured by
map distance) via a usually traveled surface route.
Temporary quarters cannot be authorized for new Federal appointees, or employees
assigned under the Government Employees Training Act.
Reimbursement of local transportation is prohibited while in temporary
quarters (FTR 302-6.18)
Temporary Quarters Options
Payment of TQSE when authorized can be either Fixed Rate Method or the Actual
Expense Method. You must elect your option in writing.
Fixed Rate Method (FRM)
You can be paid a fixed amount for up to 30 days. No
extensions are allowed under the FRM. The number of days approved under this
method will be determined by your administrative officer. You will be given a
predetermined amount based on the locality per diem rate for the new duty
station and the number of days approved by administrative officer. No receipts
for lodging or itemization of meals is required.
Actual Expenses Method
Payment of Actual expense can be only for your actual
cost and they must be reasonable as to amount. Allowable daily expenses include
meals (including groceries consumed during occupancy of temporary quarters),
lodging, fees and tips incident to meals, laundry, and necessary cleaning and
pressing of clothing. Expenses for local transportation are not allowed.
Your actual daily costs are itemized (meals, lodging, etc.) on Form AD-569,
Expense Record for Temporary Quarters. Receipts are required for daily lodging
and laundry and cleaning costs (except when coin-operated facilities are used).
The amount that you can be paid for your expenses is your actual daily costs for
a 30-day period not to exceed the maximum daily amount shown below, multiplied
by 30. If your actual daily costs exceed the maximum allowable you will be
reimbursed the maximum, unless your actual costs are determined by your
administrative officer to be excessive or unreasonable for your situation and
locale. In these cases your payment will be reduced below the maximum and to a
reasonable amount by your administrative officer. If you use less days than
actually authorized,' the maximum allowable amount reimbursed will be based on
the number of days used, multiplied by a daily rate. The maximum daily rate used
for these computations shall be the maximum rate shown below. If your actual
daily costs are less than the maximum rates shown, you will be reimbursed your
actual costs for the days involved.
For temporary quarters in the 48 States, the daily rate is $109.00. (Standard CONUS rate
(effective 10-1-07))
During the first 30 days, you cannot be paid daily more than the following:
- For you or your spouse alone (i.e., your spouse necessarily occupies
temporary quarters in a location separate from you), the daily rate is
$109.00.
- For your spouse when with you, and for each other member of your family
who is 12 years or older, the daily rate is .75 of your rate ($81.75).
- For each member of your family who is under 12 years of age, the daily
rate is .50 of your rate ($54.50).
During the second 30 days, the daily rates for you and each member of your
family are:
- For you or your spouse alone, the daily rate is .75 of $109.00 ($81.75).
- For your spouse when with you, and for each other family member 12 years
of age or older, the daily rate is .50 of $109.00 ($54.50).
- For each family member under 12 years of age, the daily rate is .40
of $109.00 ($43.60).
If an extension of time for temporary quarters is approved by your
administrative officer beyond the first 60 days, the additional days are at the
same rate as for second 30-days shown above.
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