SSA interview voucher process

[packersfan]

Does anyone have any information concerning how the hotel and other expenses, associated with the SSA interviews going on, are vouchered / reimbursed? Thanks.

[71stretch]

I assume you haven't been to your interview yet. You get a packet when you arrive for the interview, with a form to send back with your hotel and taxi/shuttle receipts. Meal receipts are not required, meals are reimbursed at flat per diem rates if your travel was more than 12 hours. DC hotel per diem maximum is 226.00.

The staff at SSA will prepare a voucher and send it to you to sign and send back. If you are not a federal employee, you will get a check in the mail. If you are a fed employee, you can do a form for direct deposit.

[Wolfiemom]

I might add--don't let it sit! I opened my packet yesterday, and noted that it must be returned within 5 working days after the trip is completed. I just interviewed Monday, so I am OK, but just wanted to issue a warning that this is "time-sensitive" material.

[bartleby]

Another caveat, all receipts and paperwork sent months ago.. Agency didn't process. Not to worry, only $46.00, right. Wrong. Person received job, applied for tickets to Washington for training and told. Hold on, you have an open "ticket" out and nothing can happen until that is taken care of. New employee in Cleveland..All paperwork that had been previously submitted somewhere in Georgia with distraught spouse. Finally located and resubmitted. Agency, finally straightened out it's own mess and we await the next mess.. After getting to training new employee found out she wasn't only one this happened to.

[arlene25]

Is the process the same if you already work for ODAR? Do you still submit your receipts and paperwork in the envelope?

[71stretch]

I think so. The difference is that you can do direct deposit of your check.

[arlene25]

Thanks observer.

[Well]

I was told to handle mine through E2. Used my government card to book the flight, hotel, and pay baggage fees. Processed the voucher through my local office using the accounting code that sent it to Falls Church for final approval. Already have my money and have paid my card bill.

[71stretch]

It would make sense that they might do something different for in-house folks, but the only question they were asking when they handed out the packets was whether you traveled to get there. The only one I saw who didn't get a packet was someone who worked in the same building.

[hherman]

Does anyone have a sense as to how long it takes to process the receipts for reimbursement for an outsider?

[71stretch]

Well, the instruction sheet we got in the packet says it takes " a few days" to process the receipts and form, (it's already been more than a few in my case, but I know they are working on it) then they mail you a voucher to sign, you send it back, the check comes out of the US Treasury -- takes a week to ten days after they receive the voucher.

[24kgoldengirl]

Thank you for reminding me that I would be getting correspondence from SSA other than a offer or rejection. I understand that the offers probably will not begin until late July or early August but I am already starting to get a little anxious.