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Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Providing payment services for the U.S. Department of Defense
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House Hunting Trip FAQs
Am I eligible for a house hunting expenses allowance?
You are eligible for a househunting trip expenses allowance if you are an employee who is authorized to transfer, and in addition:
(a) Both your old and new official stations are located within the United States;
(b) You are not assigned to Government or other prearranged housing at your new official station; and
(c) Your old and new official stations are 75 or more miles apart (as measured by map distance) via a usually traveled surface route.
Under what circumstances will I receive a househunting trip expenses allowance?
You will receive a househunting trip expenses allowance if:
(a) Your agency authorized you to perform a househunting trip in advance of the travel (the agency authorization must specify the mode of transportation and the period of time allowed for the trip);
(b) You have signed a service agreement;
(c) Your agency has established, and informed you of, the date you are to report to your new official station; and
(d) You meet any additional conditions your agency has established.
Who is not eligible for a househunting 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.
May my spouse and I perform separate househunting 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.
How soon may I and/or my spouse begin a househunting trip?
You may begin your househunting trip as soon as your agency has notified you of your transfer and issued a travel authorization for a househunting trip. To take maximum advantage of your trip, however, it is very important that you become familiar as quickly as you can with your new official station area (e.g., housing market conditions, school locations, etc.). If you are selling your residence at your old official station, you should not begin your househunting trip until you have a current appraisal of the value of the residence so that you can more accurately determine the appropriate price range of residences to consider during your househunting trip.
When must my househunting trip be completed?
FOR
YOUR HOUSEHUNTINGTRIP MUST BE COMPLETE BY
You
The day before reporting to your new official station.
Your Spouse
The earlier of:
(a) the day before your family relocates to your new official station
OR
(b) the day before the maximum time for beginning allowable travel expires
May I retain any balance left over from my househunting reimbursement if my Lump Sum amount is more than adequate to cover my househunting trip?
Yes, if your Lump Sum househunting amount is more than adequate to cover your househunting expenses any balance belongs to you.
If I am filing a claim for Lump Sum househunting, am I required to provide any receipts?
Yes, the reimbursement is limited to the round trip constructive taxi cost. You will need to indicate on your claim the amount a taxi would have cost to and from the airport.
Can I be reimbursed for parking at the airport during my househunting trip?
Yes, the reimbursement is limited to the round trip constructive taxi cost. You will need to indicate on your claim the amount a taxi would have cost to and from the airport. What taxi company?