Transfer List Being Worked

[Pixie]

Oct 3, 2015 10:06:28 GMT -5 christina said:

beancounter, i think the answer is no. ive wondered this too. you and for that matter i may still be able to use the benefits involved in selling the old home and the temporary quarter benefits while at city x. im not sure if we transfer within a year whether that puts those benefits in jeopardy; i think we don't put whatever benefits we receive in jeopardy since we are still working for the federal govt.

If i ever have a chance to relocate, i will be asking lots of questions, including the one you raised.

I believe you are correct about putting relocation benefits in jeopardy by transfering within a year. I think the benefits must be refunded to the government.

[hopefalj]

Oct 3, 2015 10:08:33 GMT -5 Pixie said:

No. The benefits are limited to the first location. This is the federal government; there is not much flexibility available.

I didn't look this up in the relocation regs, but am answering based on my experience with the government. Will be surprised if anyone gives a different answer. Pix.

i had a classmate that was in that situation. I believe the home sale/lease breaking benefits can still be obtained. The home buying portions cannot be (I know that from my own personal experience). The moving expenses can be, but you are responsible for any additional cost to what the price would have been to your original duty station. I would assume the misc expenses would also be allowed for a lump sum, but you likely cannot itemize them in the transfer location.

[christina]

Pixie, if we accept some relocation benefits, is there an unofficial expectation from SSA that we should stay at spot we accepted for over a year? i know we are expected to stay a year. that is from federal policy. but are there any unspoken expectations that it is best to stay longer than that. thanks.

and hopealj, i mean Kurt Russell thanks! 

[hopefalj]

Oct 3, 2015 10:19:50 GMT -5 christina said:

Pixie, if we accept some relocation benefits, is there an unofficial expectation from SSA that we should stay at spot we accepted for over a year? i know we are expected to stay a year. that is from federal policy. but are there any unspoken expectations that it is best to stay longer than that. thanks.

and hopealj, i mean Kurt Russell thanks! 

I think the reg that pixie's referring to is if you leave government employment within a year (or possibly the agency?), not your duty station. I don't believe transferring intra-agency triggers the payback provision. At least I hope not, or I'll be entering a world of pain at some point in the near future.

[Pixie]

I seem to remember that along with the offer of relocation benefits comes a written warning that the benefitee must stay in place for at least one year. Probably something to be signed as well, showing the relocatee understands this requirement.

Edit Note: There ought to be someone on the board who has recently received relocation benefits and has a more current understanding than I do. I am going on memory from years ago.

[saaao]

I haven't done a relo very recently, but I have done one within the last four years. The provision of my relo was that I had to stay with the job and agency for a full year or I would have to repay all the relo benefits. However I believe I could move duty stations so long as I was doing the same job without having to repay. I believe that is pretty standard.

It's good to keep in mind that the government cost of the relo will be likely be much higher than you would pay yourself. I have never had a better experience with movers than the government contracted movers. But that was because they were charging the government for ultra-premium service. If you have to pay it back, you are likely going to be in for some serious sticker shock.

[Pixie]

Thanks, saaao. Yours is certainly more recent than mine, and your memory likely more accurate. Pix.

[christina]

thanks everyone for all the feedback

[jonsprag1]

Oct 3, 2015 10:27:11 GMT -5 Pixie said:

I seem to remember that along with the offer of relocation benefits comes a written warning that the benefitee must stay in place for at least one year. Probably something to be signed as well, showing the relocatee understands this requirement.

Edit Note: There ought to be someone on the board who has recently received relocation benefits and has a more current understanding than I do. I am going on memory from years ago.

Just hired this year and the agreement was that I would have to pay back the relocations costs if I left the alj position with the SSA within one year of being hired.  I'm free to transfer to any ODAR office that will have me without having to repay the relocation costs.

[attytoalj]

Oct 2, 2015 20:04:57 GMT -5 Gram Pop said:

I am the classmate of Judge Ratty that received the official transfer offer today. I am exchanging a 200 mile a day commute for a 20 minute train ride to the city where I formerly practiced law for 30 years. During training, Judges Bice and Allen assured us, on several occasions, that transfers would be made when we became eligible. But I never expected it to happen in just 5 days! I am hopeful that many of my classmates receive their offers soon as well.

In the event that OPM agrees to a GAL expansion, I strongly recommend that you take advantage of that opportunity. While there is no guarantee that transfers will continue to be granted shortly after the mandatory 90 day waiting period, that seems to be the current practice. As I recall, the first group hired in 2014 also had their transfers granted very quickly.

Best of luck to all of those still waiting.

Gram Pop - glad to hear that you got your transfer so quickly - especially with that commute!   Quick question though, the city you are transferring to, has it been listed on a cert recently?  And does anyone have an updated transfer list after the 9/28/15 additions?

[JudgeRatty]

Oct 6, 2015 14:17:24 GMT -5 attytoalj said:

Oct 2, 2015 20:04:57 GMT -5 Gram Pop said:

I am the classmate of Judge Ratty that received the official transfer offer today. I am exchanging a 200 mile a day commute for a 20 minute train ride to the city where I formerly practiced law for 30 years. During training, Judges Bice and Allen assured us, on several occasions, that transfers would be made when we became eligible. But I never expected it to happen in just 5 days! I am hopeful that many of my classmates receive their offers soon as well.

In the event that OPM agrees to a GAL expansion, I strongly recommend that you take advantage of that opportunity. While there is no guarantee that transfers will continue to be granted shortly after the mandatory 90 day waiting period, that seems to be the current practice. As I recall, the first group hired in 2014 also had their transfers granted very quickly.

Best of luck to all of those still waiting.

Gram Pop - glad to hear that you got your transfer so quickly - especially with that commute!   Quick question though, the city you are transferring to, has it been listed on a cert recently?  And does anyone have an updated transfer list after the 9/28/15 additions?

The last transfer list does include the 9/28 additions. If no one posts it before tomorrow, I will get a copy when I get to work.

[gary]

Per a very reliable source, someone received a transfer offer yesterday, so the transfer list is still being worked.

[gary]

I am told by a very reliable source that a great deal of transfer activity has been occurring both Friday and today. Another step to next certs.