ALLOWANCE FOR MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

• Citation: 41 CFR Part 302-16
• Sections: 3

§ 302-16.1 Eligibility for a miscellaneous expenses allowance (MEA).

(a) Eligibility for an MEA is indicated where applicable at § 302-3.100 of this chapter; new appointees, SES “last move home”, employees assigned under the Government Employees Training Act (GETA), and employees returning from an overseas assignment for separation from Government service are not eligible for MEA.

(b) Employees will be reimbursed the MEA in accordance with their agency's internal relocation policy. However, agencies cannot authorize an advance of funds for the MEA.

§ 302-16.2 MEA payment amount and calculation methodology.

The following amount will be paid for miscellaneous expenses:

(a) A lump sum amount set in an FTR bulletin without support or documentation of expenses; or

(b) An amount in excess of the lump sum amount if authorized by an agency; and

(1) The claim is supported by acceptable statements of fact, paid bills or other acceptable evidence (documentation) justifying the amounts claimed; and

(2) The aggregate amount does not exceed an employee's basic gross pay (at the time they reported for duty, at their new official station) for:

(i) One week if the employee is relocating without immediate family; or

(ii) Two weeks if the employee is relocating with immediate family.

(3) The amount authorized in paragraph (b)(2) of this section cannot exceed the maximum rate of grade GS-13, Step 10 General Schedule (base) salary (excluding locality pay) (see 5 U.S.C. 5332) at the time the employee reported for duty at their new official station.

Note 1 to § 302-16.2:

GSA publishes the lump sum amounts in an FTR bulletin on an intermittent basis at https://gsa.gov/ftrbulletins.

§ 302-16.3 Costs not reimbursable under the MEA.

The MEA cannot be used to reimburse:

(a) Costs or expenses incurred which exceed maximums provided by statute or in this subtitle;

(b) Costs or expenses incurred but which are disallowed elsewhere in this subtitle;

(c) Costs reimbursed under other provisions of law or regulations;

(d) Costs or expenses incurred for reasons of personal taste or preference and not required because of the move;

(e) Losses covered by insurance;

(f) Fines or other penalties imposed upon the employee or members of their immediate family;

(g) Judgments, court costs, and similar expenses growing out of civil actions; or

(h) Any other expenses brought about by circumstances, factors, or actions in which the move to a new official station was not the proximate cause.