The FERC Relocation Process for New Appointees
An 8-Step Overview of the Process for New Appointees
- The FERC is notified via email by your agency’s Human Resources (HR) or Program Office of a new Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. The email shall include a PDF of the SF-50 and an Agreement to Remain in Government Service.
- The FERC sends a New Appointee Questionnaire to the employee (with a copy to HR/Program Office) to be completed and returned.
- The FERC will schedule a conference call with the employee to discuss entitlements and allowances according to the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and your agency’s relocation policy.
- All official agency travel must be documented with a Travel Authorization (TA). The FERC will electronically create the employee official TA in preparation for your relocation. FERC will email the completed TA to your point of contact to be approved and signed by the approving official. Please note that FERC cannot continue the relocation process until the TA is approved and signed.
- After the TA is approved, FERC will coordinate the shipping and storage of the employee household goods, en-route travel, and other entitlements and authorized allowances. The employee should keep all their receipts for reimbursement.
- As the employee completes each portion of their move they will be reimbursed through FERC via travel voucher. The FERC will generate an electronic travel voucher and e-mail it to the agency for signatures.
- After the travel voucher is signed, the voucher and any accompanying receipts would then be sent back to the FERC for processing. You may e-mail the voucher and documentation or send it via postal mail to FERC.
- Once FERC receives the travel voucher, the reimbursement payment will be processed and paid.
Frequent Questions about the Process
The following questions and answers apply to agencies who follow the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR):
Who is a new appointee and what relocation expenses will my agency pay?
A new appointee is:
- An individual who is employed with the Federal Government for the very first time (including an individual who has performed transition activities under section 3 of the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note), and is appointed in the same fiscal year as the Presidential inauguration);
- An employee who is returning to the Government after a break in service (except an employee separated as a result of reduction in force or transfer of functions and is re-employed within one year after such action); or
- A student trainee assigned to the Government upon completion of his/her college work.
A new appointee’s offer letter will contain a determination regarding if relocation expenses will be paid. Table A below indicates the extent of relocation costs that will be reimbursed as shown in Columns 1 and 2. Once the decision is made to pay or reimburse your relocation expenses, all mandatory (must pay) relocation allowances must be reimbursed.
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Column 1 (must pay) Relocation entitlements that the agency must pay or reimburse (once the decision is made to cover relocation expenses) |
Column 2 (discretionary) Relocation allowances that the agency has discretionary authority to pay or reimburse(once the decision is made to cover relocation expenses). |
|---|---|
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When may I begin my relocation?
You may begin your relocation only after your agency has approved your travel authorization (TA) in writing (or electronic).
May I relocate to my new official station before I receive a written travel authorization (TA)?
No, you must have the written (or electronic) TA before you relocate to your new official station.
What is a service agreement?
A service agreement is a written and signed agreement between you and your agency. The service agreement states that you will remain in the service of the Government, after you have relocated, for a specified period of time.
What happens if I fail to sign a service agreement?
If you fail to sign a service agreement, your agency will not pay for your relocation expenses.
Will I be penalized for violation of my service agreement?
Yes, if you violate a service agreement (other than for reasons beyond your control and which must be accepted by your agency), you will have incurred a debt due to the Government and you must reimburse all costs that your agency has paid towards your relocation expenses including withholding tax allowance (WTA) and relocation income tax (RIT) allowance.
When must I complete all aspects my relocation?
You and your immediate family member(s) must complete all aspects of your relocation within one year from the effective date of your transfer or appointment.
If my agency authorizes me for relocation, must it pay all of the expenses listed in §302-3.2?
Yes, if your agency authorizes you allowances for relocation, it must pay all of the expenses listed on Table A, Column 1 (if applicable).
As a new appointee, are there any expenses that my agency will not pay?
Yes. Your agency will not pay for expenses that are not listed in §302-3.2 (Table A) of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). This includes, but not limited to: per diem for family, cost of house hunting trip, selling your home, temporary quarters, miscellaneous expense allowance, and use of a relocation services company. Please contact your agency relocation department for more details.
If I travel to my first official station before I have been appointed, will I be reimbursed for my relocation expenses?
Generally, you may not be reimbursed for relocation expenses incurred before you 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, appointment must occur in the same fiscal year as the Presidential transition activities.