RELOCATION ALLOWANCE BY SPECIFIC TYPE

• Citation: 41 CFR Part 302-3
• Sections: 34

§ 302-3.1 Relocation expenses agency pays or reimburses for new appointees.

For new appointees assigned to their first official station, the hiring agency determines if relocation expenses will be authorized. Once a decision is made to authorize relocation expenses, all mandatory relocation allowances are reimbursed, unless otherwise stated in the applicable parts of this chapter. The agency may also pay or reimburse the discretionary relocation expenses indicated for the type of assignment as follows:

(a) Assigned to first official station in the Continental United States (CONUS). (1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation of employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Subsistence expenses for employee only (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(iii) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(iv) Extended storage of household goods when assigned to a designated isolated official station in CONUS to which the new appointee cannot take household goods or at which they are unable to use their household goods because of the absence of residence quarters at the location (part 302-8 of this chapter);

(v) Transportation of a mobile home or boat used as a primary residence in lieu of the transportation of household goods (part 302-10 of this chapter); and

(vi) Relocation income tax allowance (RITA) (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) Discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Shipment of privately owned vehicle (POV) (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(ii) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(b) Assigned to first official station outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). (1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation of employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Subsistence expenses for employee only (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(iii) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(iv) Extended storage of household goods when assigned to a post to which the new appointee cannot take household goods or at which they cannot use their household goods, or when authorized by the head of the agency (part 302-8 of this chapter); and

(v) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) Discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Shipment of a POV (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(ii) Temporary quarters subsistence expenses (TQSE) are not authorized in a foreign area. However, the new appointee may be entitled to the following under the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) (Government Civilians—Foreign Areas):

(A) Foreign Transfer Allowance (FTA) (Subsistence Expense) for quarters occupied temporarily before departure from the 50 States or the District of Columbia for an official station in a foreign area incident to a permanent change of station and travel to first official station overseas.

(B) Temporary quarters subsistence allowance (TQSA) when a transfer is authorized to a foreign area.

(C) The miscellaneous expense portion of the FTA is authorized incident to first official station travel to a foreign area.

(iii) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

§ 302-3.2 Travel to first official station before appointment.

Generally, appointees may not be reimbursed for relocation expenses incurred before they have been appointed to a Federal position and signed an agreement to remain in Government service for 12 months after appointment. However, there is an exception for appointees who have performed Presidential transition activities. Such appointees may be reimbursed allowable travel and transportation expenses incurred at any time following the most recent Presidential election once they have signed a service agreement. However, the appointment must occur in the same fiscal year as the Presidential transition activities.

§ 302-3.100 Relocation expenses agency pays or reimburses for transfers and other relocations.

For transferred employees or other relocated employees, the agency decides if relocation expenses will be authorized. Once a decision is made to authorize relocation expenses, all mandatory relocation allowances are reimbursed, unless otherwise stated in the applicable parts of this chapter. The agency may also pay or reimburse the discretionary relocation expenses indicated for the type of relocations in this section:

(a) Transfer between official stations in the Continental United States (CONUS). (1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation & subsistence expenses for employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Miscellaneous expense allowance (part 302-16 of this chapter);

(iii) Sell or buy residence transactions or lease termination expenses (part 302-11 of this chapter);

(iv) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(v) Extended storage of household goods when assigned to a designated isolated official station in CONUS to which the transferred employee cannot take household goods or at which they are unable to use their household goods because of the absence of residence quarters at the location (part 302-8 of this chapter);

(vi) Transportation of a mobile home or boat used as a primary residence in lieu of the transportation of household goods. Mobile homes may be shipped within CONUS, within Alaska, and through Canada en route between Alaska and CONUS or through Canada between one CONUS point and another ( e.g., between Buffalo, NY, and Detroit, MI) (part 302-10 of this chapter); and

(vii) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Househunting trip transportation & subsistence expenses, employee & spouse only (part 302-5 of this chapter).

(ii) TQSE (part 302-6 of this chapter).

(iii) Shipment of POV (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(iv) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(v) Property management services (part 302-15 of this chapter).

(vi) Home marketing incentives (part 302-14 of this chapter).

(b) Transfer from CONUS to an official station outside the Continental United States (OCONUS). (1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation & subsistence expenses for employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Miscellaneous expense allowance (part 302-16 of this chapter);

(iii) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(iv) Extended storage of household goods when assigned to a post to which the transferred employee cannot take household goods or at which they cannot use their household goods, or when authorized by the head of the agency (part 302-8 of this chapter);

(v) Sell & buy residence transaction expenses or lease termination expenses when transfer is to a non-foreign area (part 302-11 of this chapter); and

(vi) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) TQSE when transfer is to a non-foreign area. In foreign areas the transferee may be entitled to the following under the DSSR (Government Civilians—Foreign Areas):

(A) FTA for quarters occupied temporarily before departure from the 50 states or the District of Columbia for an official station in a foreign area incident to a permanent change of station and travel to first official station overseas.

(B) TQSA.

(ii) Property management services (part 302-15 of this chapter).

(iii) Shipment of a privately owned vehicle (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(iv) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(v) Home marketing incentives when transfer is to a non-foreign area (part 302-14 of this chapter).

(vi) Househunting trip transportation & subsistence expenses, employee & spouse only when transfer is to a non-foreign area (part 302-5 of this chapter).

(c) Transfer from OCONUS official station to an official station in CONUS. (1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation & subsistence expenses for employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Miscellaneous expense allowance (part 302-16 of this chapter);

(iii) Sell & buy residence transaction expenses or lease termination expenses. Allowed when old and new official stations are located in the United States. Also allowed when instead of being returned to the former official station in the United States, an employee is transferred in the interest of the Government to a different official station in the United States than the official station from which an employee was transferred when assigned to the foreign official station (part 302-11 of this chapter);

(iv) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(v) Extended storage of household goods when assigned to a designated isolated official station in CONUS to which the transferred employee cannot take household goods or at which they are unable to use their household goods because of the absence of residence quarters at the location (part 302-8 of this chapter); and

(vi) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Shipment of a privately owned vehicle. Shipment is mandatory when a POV was shipped to the OCONUS location and the employee completed the service agreement (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(ii) TQSE (part 302-6 of this chapter).

(iii) A TQSA under the DSSR may be authorized preceding final departure subsequent to the necessary vacating of residence quarters.

(iv) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(v) Home marketing incentives when transfer is from a non-foreign area (part 302-14 of this chapter).

(vi) Househunting trip transportation & subsistence expenses, employee & spouse only when transfer is from an OCONUS non-foreign area (part 302-5 of this chapter).

(vii) Property Management Services. Allowed when old and new official stations are located in the United States. Also allowed when instead of being returned to the former official station in the United States, an employee is transferred in the interest of the Government to a different official station in the United States than the official station from which an employee was transferred when assigned to the foreign official station (part 302-15 of this chapter).

(d) Transfer between OCONUS official stations.

(1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation & subsistence expenses for employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(iii) Miscellaneous expense allowance (part 302-16 of this chapter);

(iv) Extended storage of household goods when assigned to a post to which the transferred employee cannot take household goods or at which they cannot use their household goods, or when authorized by the head of the agency (part 302-8 of this chapter);

(v) Sell & buy residence transaction expenses or lease termination expenses when transfer is between non-foreign areas (part 302-11 of this chapter); and

(vi) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Shipment of a POV (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(ii) Property management services (part 302-15 of this chapter).

(iii) Househunting trip transportation & subsistence expenses for employee & spouse only when transfer is between non-foreign areas (part 302-5 of this chapter).

(iv) TQSE when transfer is to or between non-foreign areas (part 302-6 of this chapter).

(v) TQSA may be authorized under the DSSR.

(vi) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(vii) Home marketing incentives when transfer is between non-foreign areas (part 302-14 of this chapter).

(e) Tour renewal agreement travel.

(1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation for employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter); and

(ii) Subsistence expenses for employee only (part 302-4 of this chapter).

(f) Return from OCONUS official station to place of actual residence for separation or transfer to a new duty station when relocation expenses are not authorized by gaining agency. In the case of an employee transferring to a new duty station whose relocation expenses are not authorized by the gaining agency, the employee is only eligible for return expenses from the OCONUS duty station to the employee's place of actual residence, payable by the losing agency.

(1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation for employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Subsistence expenses for employee only (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(iii) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter); and

(iv) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Shipment of a POV (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(ii) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(iii) TQSA under the DSSR may be authorized preceding final departure subsequent to the necessary vacating of residence quarters.

(g) Last move home for SES career appointees upon separation from Government service.

(1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation for employee and immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Subsistence expenses for employee only (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(iii) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter);

(iv) Transportation of a mobile home or boat used as a primary residence in lieu of the transportation of household goods (part 302-10 of this chapter); and

(v) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Shipment of a POV (part 302-9, subpart B, of this chapter).

(ii) Use of a relocation services company (part 302-12 of this chapter).

(h) Temporary Change of Station (TCS).

(1) The following are mandatory relocation allowances that the agency must pay or reimburse:

(i) Transportation & subsistence expenses for employee and immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter);

(ii) Miscellaneous expense allowance (part 302-16 of this chapter);

(iii) Transportation & temporary or extended storage of household goods. For OCONUS posts, extended storage is available only when assigned to a post to which the transferred employee cannot take household goods or at which they cannot use their household goods, or when authorized by the head of the agency. For CONUS duty stations, extended storage is available only when assigned to a designated isolated official station in CONUS and are unable to use the household goods and personal effects because of the absence of residence quarters at the location. Extended storage is only authorized for the duration of the TCS (parts 302-7 and 302-8 of this chapter);

(iv) Transportation of a mobile home or boat used as a primary residence in lieu of the transportation of household goods (part 302-10 of this chapter); and

(v) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

(2) The following are discretionary relocation allowances that the agency may pay or reimburse:

(i) Househunting trip transportation & subsistence expenses. Househunting trips may only be authorized prior to the beginning of the TCS (part 302-5 of this chapter).

(ii) TQSE. Temporary quarters may be authorized at the beginning or at the conclusion of the TCS (part 302-6 of this chapter).

(iii) Transportation of a POV. Transportation of a POV may be authorized at the beginning or at the conclusion of the TCS (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(iv) Storage of one POV when assigned in support of a contingency operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 1482a(c)(2). Storage of a POV, when authorized, is only for the duration of the TCS (part 302-9 of this chapter).

(v) Property management services. Property management, when authorized, is only for the duration of the TCS (part 302-15 of this chapter).

(i) Assignment under the Government Employees Training Act (GETA). The allowances listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through (4) of this section may be authorized in lieu of per diem or actual expense allowances. This is not considered a permanent change of station.

(1) Transportation of employee & immediate family member(s) (part 302-4 of this chapter).

(2) Per diem for employee only (part 302-4 of this chapter).

(3) Transportation & temporary storage of household goods (part 302-7 of this chapter).

(4) RITA (part 302-17 of this chapter).

§ 302-3.200 Eligibility and entitlements for two or more employed immediate family members transferring to the same official station.

(a) If an employee and an immediate family member(s) are both employees and are transferring to the same official station in the interest of the Government, the allowances under this chapter apply either to:

(1) Each employee separately and the other is not eligible as an immediate family member(s); or

(2) Only one of the employees considered as head of the household and the other is eligible as an immediate family member(s) on the first employee's TA.

(b) The employees must provide their agency with a signed document stating which method of authorization they select (separate or one single authorization).

(c) When separate allowances are authorized, the employing agency or agencies shall not make duplicate reimbursement for the same claimed expenses.

(d) When there are non-employee immediate family members also transferring, the employees must provide their agency with the name(s) of non-employee family member(s) who will receive allowances. Only one of the employees may claim allowances for a non-employee member(s) of their immediate family (non-employee members may only be on one TA).

§ 302-3.201 Involuntary relocations ( i.e., due to reduction in force, cessation, or transfer of work).

If an employee is subject to an involuntary transfer ( i.e., due to reduction in force, cessation, or transfer of work), the transfer is considered to be in the interest of the Government.

§ 302-3.202 Re-employment after a separation by reduction in force or transfer of functions.

If an employee is re-employed after a separation by reduction in force or transfer of function, their agency may pay them a relocation allowance under the conditions of this chapter if:

(a) The employee is re-employed within one year of their involuntary separation date;

(b) The new appointment is not temporary; and

(c) The new appointment is at a different duty station from where their separation occurred and meets the distance criteria in § 302-2.1 of this chapter for a short distance relocation.

§ 302-3.203 Eligibility to receive an allowance for overseas tour renewal travel.

Employees are eligible to receive an allowance for overseas tour renewal travel if:

(a) The employee is on an overseas assignment outside the United States, and has completed the tour of duty and satisfactorily completed the service agreement time period; and

(b) The employee has signed a new service agreement to remain at their overseas post outside the United States or to transfer to another overseas post of duty outside the United States; or

(c) The employee meets the requirements and is eligible for tour renewal travel from Alaska or Hawaii under § 302-3.204.

§ 302-3.204 Eligibility to receive an allowance for round trip tour renewal travel from Alaska or Hawaii.

Employees are eligible to receive an allowance for round trip tour renewal travel from Alaska or Hawaii only if the employee meets the criteria in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section:

(a) If on September 8, 1982, the employee was:

(1) Serving a tour of duty in Alaska or Hawaii and have continued to do so;

(2) Was en route to a post of duty in Alaska or Hawaii under a written service agreement to serve a tour of duty; or

(3) Was in the process of performing travel under a tour renewal travel and has since then entered into another tour of duty in Alaska or Hawaii.

(b) The agency head determines that authorization is necessary for the purpose of recruiting or retaining an employee for service of a tour of duty at a post of duty in Alaska or Hawaii.

§ 302-3.205 Limitation on how many times employees may receive reimbursement for tour renewal travel.

(a) For employees performing a tour of duty in a foreign area or employees performing a tour of duty in Alaska or Hawaii who meet the criteria of § 302-3.204(a), the agency may reimburse for one overseas tour renewal trip prior to the employee commencing another overseas assignment under the same conditions, for each time the employee satisfactorily completes the required period of a service agreement.

(b) For employees performing a tour of duty in Alaska or Hawaii who meet the criteria of § 302-3.204(b), the agency may reimburse a maximum of two round trips which must begin within 5 years after the date of the first tour. Employees shall be advised in writing of this limitation.

§ 302-3.206 Travel to another U.S. location (other than to place of actual residence) under a tour renewal agreement.

The employee and their immediate family may travel to another U.S. location (other than to their place of actual residence) under a tour renewal agreement. However, the agency will only reimburse for the amount of authorized expenses from the post of duty to the place of actual residence and return (as appropriate) on a usually traveled route. The employee is not required to spend time at their place of actual residence to receive reimbursement; however, a substantial amount of time must be spent in the U.S. if the place of actual residence is located there.

§ 302-3.207 Travel to another overseas location (instead of the U.S.).

If travel is to another overseas location (instead of the U.S.), the employee will be reimbursed only if their actual residence is within that country in which they are taking their leave, and then they will only be reimbursed for their authorized travel and transportation expenses.

§ 302-3.208 Violation of the new service agreement under a tour renewal assignment.

If an employee fails to complete their period of service under the new service agreement for reasons that are not acceptable to the agency, the employee must pay the Government:

(a) All transportation and subsistence expenses that were received during the service agreement period for tour renewal travel of the employee and their immediate family;

(b) Transportation expenses for family members who traveled directly from the former post of duty to the current post of duty; and

(c) All transportation expenses for shipment of household goods from the former post to the current post of duty.

§ 302-3.209 Effect on return travel and transportation to place of actual residence for violating the new service agreement.

If the employee violates the new service agreement, the Government will reimburse the employee for return travel and transportation to the employee's place of actual residence only if the employee did not receive all of their allowances under a previous service agreement in which they successfully completed their required period of service. The Government will then authorize the reimbursement cost for return travel and transportation expenses from the former post of duty to the place of actual residence.

§ 302-3.210 Reimbursement for immediate family members returning to the place of actual residence before employee.

If the employee's immediate family member(s) return to the place of actual residence within or outside the United States before the employee, and the employee pays for their return, reimbursement will occur when the employee becomes eligible for return travel and transportation. The employee must provide their agency with all receipts and documentation to support the cost. Early return expenses for the immediate family are limited to transportation and shipment of household goods and personal effects. Early return expenses do not include other relocation expenses such as TQSE and miscellaneous expense allowance. For household goods, the employee will be reimbursed for transporting part of their household goods with the immediate family and the rest of the household goods when they return as long as the combined weight of the two shipments does not exceed the total authorized weight limit.

§ 302-3.211 Return eligibility for dependent who turned 21 while overseas.

A dependent who turned 21 while overseas is entitled to return travel to the place of actual residence at the expense of the Government only if the dependent traveled overseas as a dependent of the employee under their TA, but not beyond the end of the current agreed tour of duty.

§ 302-3.300 Requirement to pay for return relocation expenses.

Once an employee has completed their duty OCONUS as specified in their service agreement, their agency must pay one-way transportation expenses for them, their immediate family member(s), and for their household goods. The agency may pay for their immediate family member(s) and their household goods to be returned to the United States before they complete their service agreement; however, the reason for not completing the service agreement must be determined by the agency as compassionate in nature or for circumstances beyond the employee's control. An employee can only claim reimbursement for the return of their immediate family members one time under each service agreement.

§ 302-3.301 Transportation of household goods to an alternate location.

An employee who has successfully completed their service agreement, may transport their household goods to a location other than their place of actual residence when they separate from the Government. However, the cost cannot exceed what it would cost to the place of actual residence.

§ 302-3.302 Entitlement to SES last move home separation relocation allowances.

An employee is entitled to SES separation relocation allowances if they meet the conditions in § 302-3.303 and they are:

(a) A career appointee to the SES as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(4); excluding those career appointees defined in 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(5) through (7)); or

(b) A non-SES appointee who elects to retain SES retirement benefits and:

(1) Has a basic rate of pay at Level V of the Executive Schedule or higher;

(2) Was previously a career appointee in the SES; or

(3) Elected under 5 U.S.C. 3392(c) to retain SES retirement benefits; or

(c) A Medical Center Director who separated from Government service on or after October 2, 1992; or:

(d) An immediate family member of an SES employee who died:

(1) In Government service on or after January 1, 1994; or

(2) After separating from Government service but before travel and/or transportation authorized under this subpart was completed.

§ 302-3.303 Requirements to receive separation relocation travel for family and employee.

An employee may receive separation relocation travel for themselves and their immediate family if:

(a) They are a career appointee as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(4), and was transferred or reassigned geographically in the interest of and at the expense of the Government from one official station to another for permanent duty from:

(1) An SES career appointment to another SES career appointment;

(2) An SES career appointment to an appointment outside the SES at a rate of pay equal to or higher than Level V of the Executive Schedule, and the employee elects to retain SES retirement benefits under 5 U.S.C. 3392; or

(3) A non-SES career appointment at the time of the transfer or assignment, which includes an appointment in a civil service position outside the SES, to an SES career appointment; and

(b) At the time of the transfer or reassignment:

(1) Was eligible to receive an annuity for optional retirement under section 8336(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), or (j) or subchapter III of chapter 83 (Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)) or under section 8412 of subchapter II of chapter 84 (Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS)) of title, 5 U.S.C.;

(2) Was within 5 years of eligibility to receive an annuity for optional retirement under one of the authorities in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; or

(3) Was eligible to receive an annuity based on discontinued service retirement or early voluntary retirement under an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) authorization, under section 8336(d) of subchapter III of chapter 83, or under 8414(b) of subchapter II of chapter 84 of title 5, U.S.C.; and

(c) Are eligible to receive an annuity upon separation (or, in the case of death, met the requirements for being considered eligible to receive an annuity, as of the date of death) under the provisions of subchapter III of chapter 83 (CSRS) or chapter 84 (FERS) of title 5, U.S.C., including an annuity based on optional retirement, discontinued service retirement, early voluntary retirement under an OPM authorization, or disability retirement; and

(d) Have not previously received separation relocation benefits from the Government for retirement.

§ 302-3.304 Requirements and special considerations for receiving reimbursement for moving expenses.

Before receiving reimbursement for moving expenses, the employee must submit a request to their agency for authorization and approval of their moving expenses with their tentative moving dates and the origin and destination location of their planned move, within the timeframe and format specified by their agency.

(a) Travel and shipment of the HHG should begin from the last official station.

(b) The employee will be authorized to separate at the place where they have chosen to reside within the United States and will only be reimbursed for expenses up to the cost of travel and transportation expenses from their authorized official station to the place in the U.S. they have elected to reside.

(c) The employee will not receive last move home benefits if upon separation they elect to reside in a different geographical area which is less than 50 miles from their official station.

(d) The employee may have their household goods transported from more than one location. However, they will only receive reimbursement based on the cost of shipment from their official station, in one lot by the most economical route to the location where they elect to reside.

§ 302-3.305 Time limit to begin travel and transportation upon separation.

All travel and transportation of household goods must begin no later than six months after:

(a) The date of separation; or

(b) The date of death of the employee who died before separation.

§ 302-3.306 Extension to the time limit for beginning separation travel.

Agencies may grant the employee or their immediate family member(s) (in case of the employee's death) an extension to the time limit for beginning the separation travel, for up to two years from the effective date of separation or death, if death occurs before separation.

§ 302-3.400 Temporary Change of Station (TCS) authorization and eligibility.

An agency may authorize a TCS when it would be more advantageous than to authorize a long-term TDY assignment. Agencies should compare the cost of the long-term TDY allowances and other factors against the cost of the TCS. Employees are generally eligible for a TCS when:

(a) They are directed to perform a TCS at a long-term duty location for no less than 6 months, nor more than 30 months; and

(b) The employee would be eligible for payment of temporary duty travel allowances authorized under chapter 301 of this subtitle. For exceptions, see § 302-3.401.

§ 302-3.401 Individuals not eligible for a TCS.

The following individuals are not eligible for a TCS:

(a) A new appointee;

(b) An employee assigned to or from a State or local government under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (5 U.S.C. 3372 et seq. );

(c) An individual employed intermittently in the Government service as a consultant or expert and paid on a daily when-actually-employed (WAE) basis;

(d) An individual serving without pay or at $1 a year; or

(e) An employee assigned under GETA (5 U.S.C. 4109).

§ 302-3.402 Effect on TCS when assignments are extended to longer than 30 months.

If the assignment is extended to exceed 30 months, the agency:

(a) Must permanently immediately assign the employee to their temporary official station or immediately return the employee to their previous official station;

(b) May not pay for extended storage or property management services incurred after the last day of the thirtieth month; and

(c) Must pay the expenses of returning the employee and their immediate family and household goods to their previous official station unless they are permanently assigned to the temporary official station.

§ 302-3.403 Separation from Government service while on a TCS.

If the employee separates from Government service prior to completion of their TCS for reasons beyond their control that are acceptable to their agency, the agency will pay the same relocation expenses it would pay under § 302-3.100 for a TCS.

§ 302-3.404 Payment for TCS expenses.

Payment of TCS expenses stops once the employee's temporary official station becomes their permanent official station. The agency may not pay any TCS expenses incurred beginning the day the employee's temporary official station becomes their permanent official station.

§ 302-3.405 Relocation allowances when permanently assigned to temporary official station.

When an employee is permanently assigned to their temporary official station, the agency may pay the same entitlements it would pay for a transferred employee (subject to the limitations in this section and those detailed in § 302-3.407) plus those noted in this section:

(a) Travel, including subsistence expenses, in accordance with part 302-4 of this chapter, for one round trip between the temporary official station and the previous official station, for the employee and members of their immediate family who relocated to the temporary official station. The agency may also pay the same expenses for a one-way trip from the previous official station to the new permanent official station for any immediate family members who did not accompany the employee to the temporary official station;

(b) Transportation of household goods not previously transported to the temporary official station under part 302-7 of this chapter; and

(c) Transportation of a privately owned vehicle(s) not previously transported to the temporary official station.

§ 302-3.406 Weight limitation when permanently assigned to temporary official station.

If the employee is permanently assigned to their temporary official station, they are limited to 18,000 pounds net weight for household goods they may transport at Government expense to their official station. This maximum weight will be reduced by the weight of any household goods transported at Government expense to the temporary official station under the TCS authorization. Subject to the 18,000 pound limit, the agency will pay to transport any household goods in extended storage to the employee's official station. Additionally, if the employee's residence changes as a result of the permanent assignment to the temporary official station, the agency may pay for transporting the employee's household goods, subject to the 18,000-pound limit, between the residence that was occupied during the temporary assignment and the new residence.

§ 302-3.407 Relocation allowances not covered when permanently assigned to temporary official station.

If the employee is permanently assigned to their temporary official station, the agency may not pay:

(a) Expenses of a househunting trip for the employee and their spouse to the temporary official station under part 302-5 of this chapter; or

(b) Residence transaction expenses for selling a residence or breaking a lease at the temporary official station under part 302-11 of this chapter.

§ 302-3.500 Establishment of policies and procedures for authorization and payment of relocation allowances.

Agencies must establish governing policies and procedures that determine:

(a) When the agency will pay relocation expenses if an employee violates the service agreement;

(b) When the agency will authorize separate relocation allowances to an employee and an employee's immediate family member that are both transferring to the same official station;

(c) When the agency will grant an employee and/or the employee's immediate family member(s) an extension on beginning separation travel;

(d) When the agency will allow an employee to arrange their own relocation upon separation;

(e) When the agency will authorize a temporary change of station (TCS);

(f) When the agency will pay extended storage of household goods for TCS;

(g) When the agency will pay for the cost of storing, or provide for the storage without charge, of one POV when an employee is assigned a TCS in support of a contingency operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 1482a(c)(2) and under part 302-9 of this chapter;

(h) The criteria in accordance with 5 CFR part 572 on how the agency will determine if a new appointee is eligible for the relocation allowances authorized therein; and

(i) The procedures which will provide new appointees with information surrounding relocation benefits.

§ 302-3.501 Establishment of policies when appointing an employee to an overseas assignment.

When appointing an employee to an overseas assignment, agencies must:

(a) Establish the employee's actual place of residence at the time of appointment and state it in the service agreement;

(b) Use guidance in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(33) for establishing places of residence;

(c) Require the employee to sign the service agreement prior to the relocation;

(d) Pay transportation expenses for one-way return travel of immediate family members when the employee has successfully completed the service agreement period OCONUS;

(e) Determine when the public interest requires the return of the immediate family for compelling personal reasons of a humanitarian or compassionate nature; and

(f) Pay for return travel and transportation of an employee only once at the end of each agreed period of service.

§ 302-3.502 Requirements for tour renewal agreement travel.

A travel advance for tour renewal travel is not authorized. Agencies must pay tour renewal agreement travel when:

(a) The employee has completed the agreed upon period of service outside CONUS;

(b) The employee has agreed to serve another OCONUS tour of duty at the same or different duty station; and

(c) The agency has determined that the employee meets the provisions of §§ 302-3.204 and 302-3.205.

§ 302-3.503 Requirements for SES separation-relocation travel.

Before issuing payment for separation-relocation travel, agencies must establish timeframes for employees to submit a request for authorization and approval of relocation expenses. Travel advances for separation relocation may not be authorized.