[Comment on Employee's Claim for a Travel Voucher]

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requested a decision on whether a claim submitted by an employee for subsistence reimbursement may be paid. The employee had traveled to his temporary assignment and returned to his residence the following day. HUD contended that the employee could have returned to his residence the same night and therefore saved the government the cost of the overnight stay. GAO held that since the employee had worked an eight-hour day, it was reasonable for him to delay his departure from the temporary assignment. Federal statutes provide that, unless otherwise noted, employees should not have to travel during their non-duty hours. Accordingly, the claim may be paid.