617.48—Time and method of payment.
(a) Determinations.
A State agency shall promptly make and record determinations necessary to assure an individual's entitlement to a relocation allowance at any time, before or after a certification covering the individual is made. No relocation allowance may be paid or advanced to an individual until the State agency determines that the individual is covered under a certification. A State agency shall make payment as promptly as possible upon determining that the individual is covered under a certification and is otherwise eligible.
(b) Travel and moving allowances.
Allowances computed under §§ 617.46 and 617.47 shall be paid as follows:
(1) Travel—
(i) Transportation and subsistence.
The amounts estimated under § 617.46 at 90 percent of the lowest allowable costs shall be paid in advance at the time an individual departs from the individual's residence to begin relocation or within 10 days prior thereto. An amount payable for a family member approved for separate travel shall be paid to the individual at the time of such family member's departure or within 10 days prior thereto.
(ii) Worker evidence.
On completion of a relocation, the individual shall certify on forms furnished by the State agency as to the amount expended daily for lodging and meals. Receipts shall be required for all lodging and purchased transportation expenses incurred by the individual and family, if any, pursuant to the relocation. An adjustment shall be made if the amount of an advance is less or more than the amount to which the individual is entitled under § 617.46.
(2) Moving.
The amount estimated under § 617.47 at 90 percent of the lowest allowable costs shall be paid:
(i) Commercial carrier.
(A)
If household goods and personal effects are moved by commercial carrier, 90 percent of the amount of the estimate submitted by the individual under § 617.47(a)(1) and approved by the State agency for covering the cost of such move, and 90 percent of the other charges approved by the State agency under § 617.47(a)(1) shall be advanced by check or checks payable to the carrier and insurer, and delivered to the individual at the time of the scheduled shipment or within 10 days prior thereto. On completion of the move, the individual shall promptly submit to the State agency a copy of the bill of lading prepared by the carrier, including a receipt evidencing payment of moving costs. The individual shall with such submittal reimburse the State agency the amount, if any, by which the advance made under this paragraph (b)(2)(i) exceeds 90 percent of the actual moving costs approved by the State agency. The individual shall be paid the difference if the amount advanced was less than 90 percent of the actual moving costs approved by the State agency.
(B)
If more economical, a State agency may make direct arrangements for moving and insuring an individual's household goods and personal effects with a carrier and insurer selected by the individual and may make payment of 90 percent of moving and insurance costs directly to the carrier and insurer. No such arrangement shall release a carrier from liability otherwise provided by law or contract for loss or damage to the individual's goods and effects. The United States shall not be or become liable to either party for personal injury or property loss damage under any circumstances.
(ii) Trailer or rental truck—
(A) Private vehicle with trailer.
If the move is by private vehicle and trailer, the allowable cost for the use of the private vehicle shall be made at the time payment is made under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(1) The individual shall submit an estimate of the rental cost from the rental agency; and
(2) 90 percent of such estimated rental cost may be advanced by check payable to the order of the individual and the rental agency at the time payment is made under paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and
(3) On completion of the move the individual shall submit promptly to the State agency a receipted bill itemizing and evidencing payment of the rental charges for the trailer or truck and fuel costs, and shall reimburse the State agency for the amount, if any, by which the advance made for the trailer or truck exceeds 90 percent of the rental charges approved by the State agency. If the amount of the advance was less than 90 percent of the rental charges, the individual shall be paid the difference.
(iii) House trailer.
If a house trailer or mobile home is moved by commercial carrier, the individual shall submit to the State agency an estimate of the cost of the move by the commercial carrier. A check for 90 percent of the amount of the estimate, if approved, payable to the individual and the carrier, may be delivered to the individual at the time of the scheduled move or within 10 days prior thereto.
(c) Lump sum allowance.
The lump sum allowance provided in § 617.45(a)(3) shall be paid when arrangements are completed for relocation of the individual and family, if any, but not more than 10 days before the earlier of the individual's anticipated departure from the individual's residence to begin relocation or the anticipated date of shipment of the individual's household goods and personal effects.
(d) Relocation completed.
A relocation is completed when an individual and family, if any, and their household goods and personal effects arrive at the individual's residence in the area of relocation. If no household goods and personal effects are moved, a relocation is completed when the individual and family, if any, arrive in the area of relocation and establish a residence in the new area. The later arrival of a family member approved for separate travel shall not alter the date a relocation was completed.