Office of the Chief Financial Officer 

Financial Management Division

Travel FAQ supplement

Lapse in Funding Closure FAQ 

1. **Why was this FAQ Created?**

If a budget or continuing resolution (CR) is not enacted prior to October 1 each year, or if a CR expires without an extension by Congress, the Government will lack the funding authority to continue performance of non-excepted functions. When the government shuts down these functions, employee duties will be impacted based on their status as either excepted employees who continue to perform mission critical duties, or non-excepted employees who do not. This has far reaching impacts for the travel arena, and each individual who is in travel status or traveling in early October, or non-funded period, may benefit from the information in this document this document. 

2. **How will I know I am excepted or non-excepted (furloughed)?**

*All employees:*

You will be informed by your supervisor.

3. **How do I know my travel is mission critical?**

*Excepted Employees:*

You will be informed by your supervisor. Some travel has been pre-identified as mission critical.  Travel associated with line inspection, travel associated with training required for line inspection certification, and emergency operations travel is deemed mission critical by the Agency.

*Non-excepted Employees:*

You will not be assigned mission critical travel during this period.

4. **I have been notified to return to my normal duty station due to the closure. Can I delay my travel?**

*All employees:*

No. You must return to your normal duty station promptly. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined: “If an employee elects not to return promptly and, as a result of this decision, the employee incurs additional travel expenses, those additional travel expenses are not obligations of the agency, and will not be reimbursed (instead, the employee is personally liable for the additional travel expenses).”

Expenses incurred for a prompt return by an employee due to the closure are considered ordinary obligations of the agency and will be reimbursed to you after a budget or CR is enacted.

5. **What do I do if I am in travel status and my travel ends after September 30, or funding expires?**

*Excepted Employees:*

Your will continue as directed by supervisors with any mission critical travel. If you need to change flight arrangements during this type of closure event, you should contact the TMC, Rodgers Travel, at 1-877-655-1047 or directly at 610-964-2062. 

*Non-excepted Employees:*

You will receive instructions from your supervisor to return home by midnight September 30. Travelers who are returning to their normal duty station should contact the TMC, Rodgers Travel at 1-877-655-1047 or directly at 610-964-2062 to change flight arrangements to ensure they are not in travel status on October 1.****

6. **What do I do if I have travel planned to start soon after September 30, or the funding expiration date?**

*Excepted Employees:*

If you have a mission critical need to travel after September 30, or the current funding expiration date, you must: 

· Get written or emailed approval for travel through your Program Area or District Office management.

· Once approved, call the TMC to book any needed reservations. The TMC’s number is 1-877-655-1047 or directly at 610-964-2062.

· Complete a Post Trip authorization once full Government operations have resumed.

Be aware, while the government is allowed to incur obligations for specific mission critical travel for excepted employees, payment for reimbursable travel expenses will only occur after the enactment of a budget or CR. No travel authorizations or vouchers will be stamped for travel after September 30, or the funding expiration date, until a budget or CR has been enacted.

*Non-excepted Employees:*

If you are a non-exempt employee you will not have mission critical travel, and your planned travel must be cancelled until a budget or CR has been enacted. You should confirm your status and travel plans with your supervisor. 

Authorizations for travel after September 30, or the funding expiration date, that are not yet approved in Concur should be reviewed and stamped cancelled, if necessary. Please keep in mind that if reservations exist on the authorization, fees are assessed when the authorization is approved. If fees are incurred, they are reimbursable, and a voucher to pay them must be prepared after the appropriation is passed. 

7. **What do I do if I need a travel advance for mission critical travel after September 30, or the funding expiration date?**

*Excepted Employees:*

During the shutdown it is not possible for the Agency to make any payments to your account, and travel advances are not possible during this period. You may instead apply for an IBA for TDY travel expenses, through the FSC Customer Contact Center at FSCGeneral@fsis.usda.gov or (800) 949-3964, option 5.

*Non-excepted Employees:*

You will not have mission critical travel, and your planned travel must be cancelled; authorizations with advances for travel after September 30, or the funding expiration date, which are not yet approved in Concur should be reviewed and stamped cancelled, if necessary. Any paid advances for authorizations already approved will need to be repaid in full.

8. **I have an outstanding travel voucher for already completed travel prior to October 1, or the government closure date, what should I do?**

*All employees:*

If your voucher for travel that has already occurred was not submitted and completely approved before midnight, September 27, or at least 3 days before the closure date, there will be a delay in reimbursement. Travelers are still responsible for timely payment of their travel card bills during the closure. 

9. **Who do I contact with TDY, Local Travel, or Relocation questions if I need help during the closure period?**

*All employees:*

The FSC Customer Contact Center at FSCGeneral@fsis.usda.gov and (800) 949-3964, option 5, will be functioning during a closure event. 

Please note when calling the FSC that only option 5 will be functional for all travel related inquiries. 

10. **What additional guidance is there?**

*All employees:*

Available guidance stems from the last Government shutdown event, of October 2013:

USDA Lapse in Funding Plans Website

OMB Furlough Guidance

2013 FSIS Shutdown Plan 

As USDA and FSIS review and update closure plans, this FAQ may be amended. You may direct additional questions or concerns to the FSIS Travel Section at (301) 344-0721 or Jeremy.Roper@fsis.usda.gov.

Last Updated: 09/04/2015Page 1 of 3