The FERC Relocation Process for Transferees
An 8-Step Overview of the Process for Transferees
- The FERC is notified via email by your agency’s Human Resources (HR) or Program Office of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move. The e-mail shall include a PDF of the SF-50 and an Agreement to Remain in Government Service.
- The FERC sends a Transferee 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 Regulations (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 e-mail 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, miscellaneous moving expenses, 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):
As a transferee what relocation expenses will my agency pay?
As a transferred employee there are mandatory and discretionary relocation expenses. Once the agency decision is made to pay or reimburse relocation expenses, all the mandatory allowance must be paid or reimbursed, unless otherwise stated in the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR). The discretionary relocation allowances indicated on Table A may or may not be paid by the agency.
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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).
What is my effective transfer or appointment date?
Your effective transfer or appointment date is the date on which you report for duty at your new or first official station.
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.
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.
What is the purpose of an allowance for expenses incurred in connection with residence transactions?
The purpose of an allowance for expenses incurred in connection with residence transaction is to reimburse you when you transfer from an old official station to a new official station for expenses that you incur due to:
- The sale of one residence at your old official station, and/or the purchase of a residence at your new official station; or
- The settlement expenses for a lease which has not expired on your residence or mobile home lot which is used as your permanent residence at your old official station.
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.
Must I sell a residence at the old official station to be eligible to purchase a residence at the new official station?
No, you do not have to sell the residence at your old official station to be eligible for residence purchase transactions at your new official station.
For which residence may I receive reimbursement for?
You may receive reimbursement for the one residence from which you regularly commute to and from work on a daily basis and which was your residence at the time you were officially notified by competent authority to transfer to a new official station.
If I drive to my new duty station, will I be required to drive a minimum distance per day?
Yes, a minimum driving distance of not less than an average of 300 miles per calendar day per the FTR.