|CHAPTER��9�-�MISCELLANEOUS�EXPENSE�ALLOWANCE�(MEA)�DUE�TO�HOUSEHOLD�RELOCATION
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| | CHAPTER� 9 - MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE ALLOWANCE (MEA) DUE TO HOUSEHOLD RELOCATION | 
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| | C9000 GENERAL | 
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| | The purpose of MEA is to pay various costs associated with an authorized/approved PCS/TCS residence relocation. MEA is for expenses incurred when moving household furnishings/appliances, and for other costs of residence relocation (see Chapter 10 for specific costs associated with mobile home relocation that are covered under transportation expenses).� An advance of funds for MEA isn't authorized.� Examples of reimbursable costs include (but aren't limited to) the costs of: | 
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| | 1.disconnecting/connecting appliances, equipment, and utilities involved in relocation, and converting appliances for operation on available utilities (this doesn't include purchasing appliances or equipment in lieu of conversion);� | 
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| | 2.cutting and fitting rugs, draperies, and curtains moved from one residence to another;� | 
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| | 3.non-refundable utility fees/deposits;� | 
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| | 4.losses on non-transferable/non-refundable contracts for medical, dental, food lockers, and private institutional care (such as that provided for handicapped or invalid dependents only); | 
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| | 5.automobile registration, driver's license and taxes imposed when bringing automobiles into some jurisdictions, reinstalling a catalytic converter upon vehicle reentry into the U.S. for employees participating in the DOD POV Import Control Program, securing a bond allowing a POV to be admitted into the U.S. for non-participants in the DOD POV Import Control Program (B-210454, March 29, 1983); and� | 
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| | 6.rental agent fees customarily charged for securing housing in foreign countries. | 
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| | C9001 ELIGIBILITY | 
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| | MEA is payable when: | 
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| | 1.a PCS/TCS is authorized/approved, | 
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| | 2.the employee moves out of the old residence, | 
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| | 3.the employee establishes a new residence, and | 
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| | 4.an appropriate transportation agreement is signed.� | 
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| | C9002� ELIGIBILITY EXCLUSIONS | 
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| | The following aren't eligible for MEA: | 
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| | 1.new appointees assigned to the first PDS, (appointees to any position, including student trainees, Senior Executive Service (SES) and Presidential appointees);��� NOTE:� Employees performing first-PDS travel in a foreign area are eligible for the miscellaneous expense portion of the FTASE.� FTASE reimbursement costs are� described in section 240, DSSR. | 
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| | 2.employees performing RAT unless a PCS is authorized/approved in conjunction with the RAT and the employee has discontinued residence at one location and established a residence at a new location in connection with such change;� | 
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| | 3.employees assigned to an OCONUS PDS returning to the actual residence for separation; and | 
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| | 4.employees authorized transportation for dependents and/or HHG to/from a training location instead of per diem or AEA under the provisions of par. C4502. | 
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| | C9003 LIMITATIONS | 
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| | A.Limited Reimbursement.� | 
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| | MEA isn't authorized to reimburse an employee for: | 
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| | 1.costs that exceed the maximums provided by law or in these regulations;� | 
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| | 2.costs that aren't allowed in these regulations;� | 
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| | 3.costs reimbursed under other provisions of law or regulations;� | 
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| | 4.costs incurred for reasons of personal taste or preference and not required because of the move;� | 
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| | 5.losses covered by insurance;� | 
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| | 6.fines or other penalties imposed on the employee or dependents;� | 
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| | 7.judgments, court costs, and similar expenses because of civil actions; and� | 
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| | 8.expenses due to circumstances, factors, or actions that weren't due to the move.� | 
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| | B.Limited Reimbursement Examples.� | 
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| | Examples of costs in subpar. A that aren't reimbursable are: | 
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| | 1.losses/costs due to selling/buying homes and personal property;� | 
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| | 2.duplicate payments for reimbursable expenses;� | 
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| | 3.additional insurance costs on HHG in transit to the new PDS, or cost of loss/ damage to that property;� | 
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| | 4.additional costs caused by the employee shipping HHGs that exceed the maximum weight allowance provided by law or the JTR;� | 
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| | 5.higher income, real estate, sales, or other taxes due to establishing residence in the new locality;� | 
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| | 6.fines imposed for traffic infractions while en route to the new PDS ;� | 
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| | 7.accident insurance premiums or liability costs incurred while traveling to the new PDS , or liability for uninsured damage caused by accidents for which the employee or dependents are responsible;� | 
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| | 8.losses due to the sale/disposal of HHG items that aren't convenient or practicable to move;��� | 
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| | 9.damage to/loss of clothing, luggage, or other personal items while traveling to the new PDS ;� | 
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| | 10.subsistence, transportation, or travel expenses in excess of the amounts reimbursed as per diem or other allowances under the JTR;� | 
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| | 11.medical expenses due to illness/injuries of the employee or dependents while en route to the new PDS or while living in temporary quarters;� | 
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| | 12.costs due to structural alterations; remodeling or modernizing of living quarters, garages, or buildings, to accommodate POVs, appliances, or equipment; or the cost for replacing/repairing worn out or defective appliances/equipment shipped to the new PDS;� | 
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| | 13.costs of purchasing clothing, appliances, and equipment due to relocation; and� | 
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| | 14.costs of newly purchased items, such as rugs or drapes. | 
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| | C9004 REIMBURSEMENT | 
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| | A.Minimum.� | 
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| | The following may be paid without providing receipts or itemized statements: | 
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| | 1.Employees without dependents:� $350 or the equivalent of 1 week's basic compensation, whichever is less;� | 
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| | 2.Employees with dependents:� $700 or the equivalent of 2 week's basic compensation, whichever is less, or� | 
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| | 3.Employees with dependents, whose dependents and HHG aren't relocated:� $350 or the equivalent of 1 week's basic compensation, whichever is less.� When an employee: | 
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| | a.reports to the new PDS but the dependents remain at the old PDS (or other location) without leaving the old residence, reimbursement is limited to the amount for an employee without dependents until the old residence is discontinued and a new residence is established, and�� | 
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| | b.relocates the dependents or HHG within the 2-year limitation, the employee is entitled to the difference between the amount initially received and the amount allowed under item 2.� | 
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| | B.Maximum.� | 
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| | The travel-authorizing/approving official may authorize/approve MEA in excess of the amount in subpar. A, if:�� | 
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| | 1.the claim is supported by paid bills or other acceptable evidence of expenses incurred, and�� | 
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| | 2.the total amount doesn't exceed the employee's basic salary rate of: | 
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