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Division of Commissioned Corps Officer Support (DCCOS), Travel and Transportation Reminder: Temporary Lodging Expense
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) is intended to partially pay for lodging and meal expenses when a member/dependent(s) occupies temporary quarters in the continental United States (CONUS) due to a permanent change of station (PCS). Temporary quarters are lodgings used as a temporary place of residence. Lodgings occupied upon initial arrival at a new permanent duty station (PDS) and/or designated location which are permanent-type residence quarters in which member/dependent(s) continue to occupy indefinitely are not temporary lodgings.
A member may be reimbursed a maximum of $180 on any day in which per diem is not payable for an official travel day. In addition, TLE must be used in the vicinity of the old/new PDS, designated place, and/or the member’s CONUS home of record (HOR) if the member is ordered to active duty. The local lodging rate necessary for reimbursement computation is based on the PDS location (or designated place and HOR, if applicable). When member/dependent(s) stay with friends/relatives, lodging cost is not authorized but the TLE meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) portion is payable.
TLE reimbursement is limited to 10 days for a PCS to a CONUS PDS, 5 days in CONUS for a PCS to an outside the continental United States (OCONUS) PDS, and 10 days for a member reporting to the first CONUS PDS from the HOR. A member may split the authorized days among the old CONUS PDS, HOR, new CONUS PDS, or designated place in CONUS but ultimately must not exceed the authorized number of days.
Note: Used as an evacuation allowance, a designated place is a location the evacuated dependent selects within the range of possible locations allowed, as the place where he/she should establish a permanent residence when competent authority determines that return to the PDS should not take place or is not expected to take place in the near future.
Officers requesting TLE reimbursement must complete a Temporary Lodging Expense Computation Worksheet (form PHS-7045) (http://dcp.psc.gov/DCPForms.asp) and provide copies of lodging receipts. The final TLE amount claimed must also be noted on the Travel Voucher (form SF-1012). All travel claim paperwork, including form PHS-7045 with receipts, should be submitted to the member’s program administrative office for reimbursement/payment of travel claims through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Operating Division/Staff Division or non-HHS organization Finance Office.
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