Federal Government Relocation Assistance
by Jason Kay |
If your federal job is going to require you to move, you may be wondering whether you can get relocation assistance from the government. Unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as yes or no. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for relocation assistance and other benefits, such as a relocation incentive, government-paid transportation and househunting, and even a home marketing incentive to help you sell your old home.
Am I Qualified for Relocation Assistance?
When members of the military are given new orders that require them to move, the government funds their moving expenses, from helping them find housing to packing, moving, and self storage of their household goods. Non-military federal employees are a little different, though, since you aren’t required to move. You always have the option to turn down the job.
Relocation benefits are designed to help the government find good employees for hard-to-fill jobs, either because of the location or because the job requires a specialization that is hard to find. Relocation benefits are not to make it easier for you to move, but to make it easier for the government to find someone qualified for the position.
In order for you to qualify for relocation assistance, therefore, the hiring agency has to be able to demonstrate that it would be difficult for them to find qualified candidates without offering incentives such as relocation assistance and bonuses. Additionally, the new position either needs to be more than 50 miles away, or far enough that it would require you to relocate for another reason (e.g., the geography of the area doesn’t make commuting from your current residence an option).
What Relocation Benefits Does the Government Offer Federal Employees?
Even if you qualify for relocation assistance, some of the benefits you are eligible for will depend on the hiring agency. Here is a list of relocation benefits that may be available to you. Be sure to check with your new employer, however, as not all of these are available from every agency.
What If I Don’t Complete the Contract?
When you are given relocation assistance and other benefits, you usually sign a contract that designates a service period, at least 12 months but no more than 4 years. If you are being paid a relocation incentive, the service agreement will determine whether you get the full amount as a lump sum once you’ve moved, at the end of the contract, or in periodic installments.
If you quit or are fired for poor performance during the contract period, however, you are only entitled to the incentive for the amount of time you worked. If you were paid the full amount at the beginning of the contract, you will need to reimburse the government for difference. In addition, if you don’t complete the contract, other benefits will need to be repaid, such as any relocation assistance you received.
Do I Understand My Relocation Benefits?
Moving can be an overwhelming proposition, but most of us have to move for work at some point during our lives. Whether you are an existing federal employee, transferring to a new position, or a new hire altogether, be sure that you understand the relocation benefits you are being offered. The better you understand them, and the better organized you are, the more smoothly your move will go!
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by Jason Kay |