Quick Tips

Information you need to know:

1. All costs associated with HHT, including centrally billed airfare, are taxable.
2. HHT is authorized for employee and spouse only.  Dependents may accompany at your expense.
3. Both the old and new Permanent Duty Station (PDS) must be located in the United States or in a non-foreign OCONUS location like Alaska or Puerto Rico.
4. A round trip performed by the employee must be completed before reporting to the new permanent duty station.
5. Your spouse may take a HHT at any time before relocation of the family to the new PDS (must begin within one year of employee report date).
6. HHT days used are subtracted from the first 30-day period of TQSE Actual Expense (AE) when more than 30 days of TQSE are occupied.
7. To be reimbursed for airfare, your orders (DD1614) must state IBA or Personally Procured Airfare is authorized.

Important Information

There are two methods of HHT that may be authorized, make sure you understand the differences and check your DD1614 (block 13a and b) to confirm authorization type and number of days.

• The standard CONUS per diem rate applies for one round trip of the employee and/or spouse for up to 10 calendar days based on agency authorization. 
• When the civilian employee and spouse travel together on an HHT, the per diem rate for the spouse is 75% of the civilian employee’s per diem rate. 
• Lodging is paid on an actual expense basis, not to exceed the Standard CONUS lodging rate. 
• Itemized, paid in full receipts are required.

1. DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher/Sub Voucher) – Be sure to review the Civilian relocation DD Form 1351-2 Voucher checklist.
2. DD Form 1614 (Travel Authorization/Orders) with all amendments
3. Paid, itemized receipts for lodging and any reimbursable expense $75 or more
4. Copy of airfare receipt to include itinerary, ticket information, and itemized amount paid
5. A cost construct from the AO if travel is by car and the HHT location is greater than 250 miles away from the old duty station.
6. Direct Deposit Form SF1199A

• A lump sum payment is given to the employee based on the applicable locality per diem rate multiplied by 6.25 for employee and spouse or 5.00 for only one person performing the HHT. 
• Lodging receipts are not required, although you do need to complete your itinerary in block 15 on DD Form 1351-2.
• Any unused balance belongs to the employee. 
• Lodging taxes are not authorized as an additional reimbursement on HHT (LS).

1. DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher/Sub Voucher) – Be sure to review the Civilian Relocation DD1351-2 voucher checklist.
2. DD Form 1614 (Travel Authorization/Orders) with all amendments
3. Paid, itemized receipts for any reimbursable expense $75 or more
4. Copy of airfare receipt to include itinerary, ticket information, and itemized amount paid
5. A cost construct from the AO if travel is by car and the HHT location is greater than 250 miles away from the old duty station.
6. Direct Deposit Form SF1199A

eTutorials

Frequently Asked Questions

• Have signed a new Transportation Agreement (TA) and been issued a DD Form1614
• Both your old and new official stations are located within the United States;
• You are not assigned to Government or other prearranged housing at your new official station; and
• Your old and new official stations are 75 or more miles apart (as measured by map distance) via a usually traveled surface route.

Who is not eligible for a house hunting trip expenses allowance?
New appointees and employees assigned under the Government Employees Training Act (5 U.S.C. 4109) are not eligible for a househunting trip expenses allowance.

What do I need to have to be reimbursed for my airfare?
You must claim airfare in block 18 of the 1351-2, submit a complete flight itinerary and paid in full receipt, and your orders (DD Form 1614) must state “IBA Authorized” or “Personally Procured Airfare Authorized.”

May my spouse and I perform separate house hunting trips at Government expense?
Yes, however, your reimbursement will be limited to the cost that would have been incurred if you and your spouse had traveled together on one round trip. When separate trips are taken, the total days used cannot exceed the allowable number of days. In other words, if 10 days are authorized and the employee uses 7, the spouse is limited to 3. Additionally, you will complete a separate 1351-2 for each of you with accurate itinerary in block 15, marking unaccompanied in block 12.

When must my house hunting trip be completed?
Your House Hunting trip must be completed by you, the day before reporting to your new official station. A House Hunting trip must be completed by your spouse the day before your family relocates to your new official station and before your allowable travel time expires, typically within one year of your report date.

What transportation expenses will my agency pay?
Your agency will authorize you to travel by the transportation mode(s) it determines to be advantageous to the Government. Your agency will pay for your transportation expenses by the authorized mode(s). If you travel by any other mode(s), your agency will pay your transportation expenses not to exceed the cost of transportation by the authorized mode(s). *NOTE* If you are driving more than 250 miles, your Approving Official must provide a cost construct clearly indicating it is more advantageous to drive than fly.

May I retain any balance left over from my house hunting reimbursement if my Lump Sum amount is more than adequate to cover my house hunting trip?
Yes, if your Lump Sum house hunting amount covers your house hunting expenses, any balance belongs to you.

If I am filing a claim for Lump Sum house hunting, am I required to provide any receipts?
Yes, you are required to provide the complete flight itinerary to include the transportation cost, and proof of payment if flying. You are also required to provide receipts for any reimbursable expense of $75 or more, except for lodging and meals.

Can I be reimbursed for parking at the airport during my house hunting trip?
Yes, the reimbursement is limited to $250 unless specifically approved by AO on Form 1351-2 Block 22 with AO signature in Block 21.