41 C.F.R. Subpart A—General Rules
Title 41 - Public Contracts and Property Management
Note to subpart A: Use of pronouns “I”, “you”, and their variants throughout this subpart refers to the employee, unless otherwise noted. The term “temporary quarters” refers to lodging obtained for the purpose of temporary occupancy from a private or commercial source. “Temporary quarters subsistence expenses” or “TQSE” are subsistence expenses incurred by an employee and/or his/her immediate family while occupying temporary quarters. TQSE does not include local transportation expenses incurred during occupancy of temporary quarters (see §302–6.18 for details). The TQSE allowance is intended to reimburse an employee reasonably and equitably for subsistence expenses incurred when it is necessary to occupy temporary quarters. You are eligible for a TQSE allowance if you are an employee who is authorized to transfer; and (a) Your new official station is located within the United States; and (b) Your old and new official stations are 50 miles or more apart (as measured by map distance) via a usually traveled surface route. New appointees, employees assigned under the Government Employees Training Act (5 U.S.C. 4109), and employees returning from an overseas assignment for the purpose of separation are not eligible for a TQSE allowance. No, your agency determines whether it is in the Government's interest to pay TQSE. You will receive a TQSE allowance if: (a) Your agency authorizes it before you occupy the temporary quarters (the agency authorization must specify the period of time allowed for you to occupy temporary quarters); (b) You have signed a service agreement; and (c) You meet any additional conditions your agency has established. Only you and/or your immediate family may occupy temporary quarters at Government expense. You and/or your immediate family may occupy temporary quarters at Government expense within reasonable proximity of your old and/or new official stations. Neither you nor your immediate family may be reimbursed for occupying temporary quarters at any other location, unless justified by special circumstances that are reasonably related to your transfer. Yes. For example, if you must vacate your home at the old official station and report to the new official station and your family remains behind until the end of the school year, you may need to occupy temporary quarters at the new official station while your family occupies temporary quarters at the old official station. Your agency will reimburse you for TQSE under the actual expense method unless it permits the “fixed amount” reimbursement method as an alternative. If your agency makes both methods available to you, you may select the one you prefer. For fixed amount TQSE reimbursement, you do not document your TQSE. For actual TQSE reimbursement, you must document your TQSE by itemizing each expense and providing receipts as required by §§301–11.25, 301–11.306 and 301–52.4(b) of this title. As soon as your agency has authorized you to receive a TQSE allowance and you have signed a service agreement. If your temporary quarters become your permanent residence quarters, you may receive a TQSE allowance only if you show in a manner satisfactory to your agency that you initially intended to occupy the quarters temporarily. Yes, if authorized in accordance with §302–2.20 of this chapter, your agency may advance the amount of funds necessary to cover your estimated TQSE expenses for up to 30 days. Your agency subsequently may advance additional funds for periods up to 30 days. No, with one exception. You may receive a cost-of-living allowance payable under 5 U.S.C. 5941 in addition to a TQSE allowance. No, you may not receive a TQSE allowance under this part when you transfer to an area outside the United States. However, you may qualify for a comparable allowance under the Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas) prescribed by the Department of State. Generally no; local transportation expenses are not TQSE, and there is no authority to pay such expenses under TQSE. You may, however, be reimbursed under part 301–4 of this subtitle for necessary transportation expenses if you perform local official business travel while you are occupying temporary quarters.
Title 41: Public Contracts and Property Management
PART 302–6—ALLOWANCE FOR TEMPORARY QUARTERS SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES
Subpart A—General Rules
§ 302-6.1 What are “temporary quarters?'
§ 302-6.2 What are “temporary quarters subsistence expenses (TQSE)”?
§ 302-6.3 What is the purpose of the TQSE allowance?
§ 302-6.4 Am I eligible for a TQSE allowance?
§ 302-6.5 Who is not eligible for a TQSE allowance?
§ 302-6.6 Must my agency authorize payment of a TQSE allowance?
§ 302-6.7 Under what circumstances will I receive a TQSE allowance?
§ 302-6.8 Who may occupy temporary quarters at Government expense?
§ 302-6.9 Where may I/we occupy temporary quarters at Government expense?
§ 302-6.10 May my immediate family and I occupy temporary quarters at different locations?
§ 302-6.11 What methods may my agency use to reimburse me for TQSE?
§ 302-6.12 Must I document my TQSE to receive reimbursement?
§ 302-6.13 How soon may I/we begin occupying temporary quarters at Government expense?
§ 302-6.14 How is my TQSE allowance affected if my temporary quarters become my permanent residence quarters?
§ 302-6.15 May I receive an advance of funds for TQSE?
§ 302-6.16 May I receive a TQSE allowance if I am receiving another subsistence expenses allowance?
§ 302-6.17 Am I eligible for a TQSE allowance if I transfer to a foreign area?
§ 302-6.18 May I be reimbursed for local transportation expenses incurred while I am occupying temporary quarters?
