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Post by iapplied on Jun 5, 2010 12:39:20 GMT -5
How many of you are getting your hotel accommodations reimbursed? Let me clarify: how many of you has SSA agreed to reimburse your hotel accommodations? Does anyone know the parameters for reimbursement for overnight accommodations?
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Post by eyre44 on Jun 5, 2010 12:55:44 GMT -5
I am, but I'm a west coaster. No way I can get to and from the interview in 1 day. I believe the standard for government employees to obtain hotel reimbursement is whether you can get to and from the location you need to be within a reasonable period of time, something like 6:00am to 9:00pm. That's how I think it works for government employees, but non-government employees, I'm not sure.
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Post by aljsouth on Jun 5, 2010 13:34:40 GMT -5
I am, but I'm a west coaster. No way I can get to and from the interview in 1 day. I believe the standard for government employees to obtain hotel reimbursement is whether you can get to and from the location you need to be within a reasonable period of time, something like 6:00am to 9:00pm. That's how I think it works for government employees, but non-government employees, I'm not sure. SSA will apply the same rules whether or not you are a federal employee. I don't know the exact standard being applied, but if you cannot leave home and get to the interview and back home in the same day, you will be allowed to get a hotel at government rate. When I interviewed the CALJ's office gave me the name of the hotel somewhat close by. I had to submit a voucher. Can someone who did this more recently give some info?
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mph
Full Member
Posts: 35
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Post by mph on Jun 5, 2010 13:35:32 GMT -5
The guy who provided my travel authorization said that I was authorized for a hotel because my interview was at 9 am. I am about 2 hour plane ride away, but he only mentioned the time of the interview.
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Post by hod on Jun 5, 2010 14:13:49 GMT -5
Generally, unless you live within true commuting distance-they will pop for the overnight. On one get together some of the west coasters actually got tw nights because of travel logistics. They also take into consideration that you fly into the nearest big city airport but you live in Wasteland which is five hours away. If you have any issues-ASK. The worst that can happen is that they say no and usually if you have a good reason, they will probably say yes.
With regard to driving, I think the issue is whether the cost of driving your own vehicle is less than or equal to commercial travel (plane). But you do get the cost of going from your door to airport and airport- back to home so remember to ask for that. I do feel for you west coasters. It must be grueling to go through all that travel and then try to be your bright witty on the ball self the next day. Especially when 9am is 6am your time!
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Post by iapplied on Jun 5, 2010 18:25:21 GMT -5
Thank you. I actually was told they would not cover reimbursement of my hotel because I live west of the Mississippi.
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Post by kxmulli on Jun 5, 2010 22:56:17 GMT -5
No they should pay if u r west of the Ms. Talk to someone else.
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 6, 2010 0:23:51 GMT -5
I'm WAY west of the Mississippi, and they are covering all my hotel expense.
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Post by iapplied on Jun 6, 2010 12:40:33 GMT -5
Sorry, I meant to say they are not covering any overnight stay of anyone east of the Mississippi.
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 6, 2010 14:34:22 GMT -5
Even so, depending on interview time and flight schedule, I don't think that should be a hard and fast rule.
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Post by getready on Jun 6, 2010 18:17:49 GMT -5
Does anyone know whether they cover taxi rides to and from the airport?
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Post by mcb on Jun 6, 2010 18:33:33 GMT -5
Does anyone know whether they cover taxi rides to and from the airport? I'm pretty sure they do. I asked Geoff Spencer if they covered rental cars and he said they didn't because taking a taxi was more cost effective. Long story short, my sister - who lives in N Virginia - picked me up at National Airport so I didn't need transportation. My interview is at 9:00 am, tomorrow.
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Post by iapplied on Jun 6, 2010 18:54:26 GMT -5
Even so, depending on interview time and flight schedule, I don't think that should be a hard and fast rule. I think you are right. He did mention my interview time as being within the time that I could get back home, though late. It's fine. I was just wondering whether people knew that hotel costs are not automatically reimbursed, what the rules were, what everyone was told and whether others were flying in and out the same day of their interview.
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 6, 2010 20:25:05 GMT -5
mcb-
GOOD LUCK!
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mph
Full Member
Posts: 35
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Post by mph on Jun 7, 2010 10:39:46 GMT -5
FYI for ssa employees. After making travel arrangements per instructions last Friday ( I was not in the office) I arrived at work this am to discover (per regional office) that NO reimbursement would be authorized for travel to ALJ interview. My AA is seeking clarification - after all, the instructions in the email seemed rather clear that we had to seek a travel authorization number prior to booking through SATO. Also, SATO refused to accept my personal credit card for the plane ticket. I'm not sure what is going on, and am not sure if I should be hunting for a cheaper fare. Anyone else having these issues?
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Post by issuegirl on Jun 7, 2010 12:12:58 GMT -5
Help please. Sato will not process my travel until I give them the name of the Department at SS paying for the reservation. I have all the codes I need, but am unable to get to a live person to get this answer. Does anyone know? Thanks.
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Post by 71stretch on Jun 7, 2010 12:20:27 GMT -5
I told them ODAR, as that's where the travel auth info came from, thru Geoff Spencer.
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Post by issuegirl on Jun 7, 2010 12:24:42 GMT -5
Thanks. I tried to tell the girl at Sato that but she was extremely unhelpful. I am hoping I get someone else next time I call.
update: called back...dealt with a wonderful woman and am all scheduled and ready to go. Now I can stop worrying about the logistics and start worrying about the substance! Good luck everyone.
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Post by zero on Jun 7, 2010 12:49:03 GMT -5
Thanks. I tried to tell the girl at Sato that but she was extremely unhelpful. I am hoping I get someone else next time I call. update: called back...dealt with a wonderful woman and am all scheduled and ready to go. Now I can stop worrying about the logistics and start worrying about the substance! Good luck everyone. Make sure you actually have a travel order number. SATO won't actually purchase a ticket for you until they have one.
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Post by iapplied on Jun 7, 2010 13:52:21 GMT -5
FYI for ssa employees. After making travel arrangements per instructions last Friday ( I was not in the office) I arrived at work this am to discover (per regional office) that NO reimbursement would be authorized for travel to ALJ interview. My AA is seeking clarification - after all, the instructions in the email seemed rather clear that we had to seek a travel authorization number prior to booking through SATO. Also, SATO refused to accept my personal credit card for the plane ticket. I'm not sure what is going on, and am not sure if I should be hunting for a cheaper fare. Anyone else having these issues? Shouldn't you be using your government credit card rather than your personal one since travel is being billed to SSA? I'm checking into the reimbursement issue again. Per some rules about travel and when we are to travel, it appears that I should be getting reimbursed for one overnight stay.
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