Domestic Benefits - FAQ
- Temporary Duty (TD)

I am attached posted (AP) and returning on TD to where my household goods and effects (HG&E) are located. Am I entitled to incidental expense allowance?

No. There is no entitlement to an incidental expense allowance while on TD to where a member's HG&E is located.

Refs: Canadian Forces Temporary Duty Travel Instruction (CFTDTI) 7.16(1) and CFTDTI 8.16(1)

I am on Imposed Restriction (IR) and returning on TD to where my dependant(s), household goods and effects ((D)HG&E) are located. Am I entitled to incidental expense allowance?

No. There is no entitlement to an incidental expense allowance while on TD to where a member's (D)HG&E are located.

Ref: CFTDTI 3.02(c)

I have a temporary workplace change, but I don't want to take a shuttle that is being provided. Can I claim mileage?

No, there is no entitlement for any transportation related expenses if the member declines transportation provided at public expense.

Ref: CFTDTI 5.28(d)

I have a temporary workplace change for one day, am I entitled to claim the kilometric rate?

Yes, however as it is the member's responsibility to get to and from work on a daily basis, only the additional distance traveled to get to the temporary workplace shall be reimbursed.

Ref: CFTDTI 5.28

I am on TD overseas and am located 40 minutes outside of a major city that is listed in the NJC Travel Directive for meal and incidental rates. Do I use the rates for the major city or the rates listed for "other"?

Use the rates listed for "other". Reimbursement is based on the city that you are actually in at the time the meal was consumed.

Ref: Appendix D of NJC travel directive

I am on TD in the US and have purchased gasoline for my rental vehicle; however the receipt does not show the rate of exchange, what currency exchange rate shall I apply?

The average Bank of Canada exchange rate on the date of purchase shall be applied, however when the Bank of Canada does not provide an exchange rate, an alternate bank rate from an established institution, as published on the Director Military Pay and Accounts Processing (DMPAP) website shall be applied.

Ref: CFTDTI 4.09

I am posted to Halifax and was approved relocation outside the geographical boundaries of CFB Halifax. I am going on TD from home; can I claim expenses from my home to the commercial carrier and return?

Based on this scenario, reimbursement is the maximum kilometric direct road distance from the closest geographical boundary point of your place of duty to the commercial carrier, as entitlements are based on travel from within the geographical boundaries of your place of duty. The authority to reside outside those boundaries does not create an enhanced travel benefit for the purposes of duty travel.

Refs: CFTDTI 5.20 (3), CFTDTI 6.20(3), CFTDTI 7.20(3) and CFTDTI 8.20(3)

I am away on TD and there are no gym facilities available, can I be reimbursed gym fees for a nearby gym?

No, your incidental expense allowance is intended for such expenses, but not limited to gym fees.

Refs: CFTDTI 7.16(2) and CFTDTI 8.16(2)

I am on a course that is being conducted at the same base that I am located at. I have been ordered to live in DND quarters on R&Q for the duration of the course. Am I entitled to the incidental expense allowance?

Yes, however your instruction must specifically "order" you to occupy quarters or commercial accommodations, and the incidental expense allowance is only payable for those specific days ordered.

If the instruction provides that accommodation is simply available, or that they can be occupied, there is no entitlement to incidental expense allowance.

Refs: CFTDTI 5.02(2) and CFTDTI 5.16

I am on TD and have a rental vehicle, am I permitted reimbursement for the rental agency's gasoline fill-up option upon returning the vehicle?

No. Most rental vehicle agencies charge exorbitant amounts for the pre-paid fill-up option. Actual and reasonable expenses for fuel are reimbursed when supported by receipts.

Refs: CFTDTI 5.36, 6.36, 7.36 and 8.36

I got called in to work last night. Can I claim the high kilometric rate from my home to work?

It is the member's responsibility to get to and from work on a daily basis. The only time a member can be reimbursed for mileage is when recalled to work for a second trip of the day from the member's home to the workplace (i.e.: second trip during the same 24 hour period, including weekends, regardless of work schedule). The member is entitled to be reimbursed the kilometric distance at the high kilometric rate from the member's home to the permanent workplace and return for the second trip.

Ref: CFTDTI 5.24

I am on a duty run outside my place of duty over lunch hour. Can I be reimbursed for lunch and do I need a receipt?

Yes, a member who travels outside their place of duty as defined in CBI 209.80 during a meal hour is entitled to reimbursement of that meal at the applicable NJC Travel Directive Appendix D meal rate. Receipts for meals under CFTDTI Section 6 are not required.

Ref: CFTDTI 6.18

I am attending a full day conference within my place of duty, however there are no meal facilities at the location, am I entitled to purchase a meal?

Yes, where no meal facilities are available you may be reimbursed up to the meal allowance as per the NJC Travel Directive Appendix D. Entitlement should be verified by the managing authority prior to the conference. A receipt will be required.

Ref: CFTDTI 5.18(2)(c)(ii)

I am on TD attending a course at a foreign military base and living in quarters with rations available, but I must purchase each meal. Can I claim full per diem rates for my meals?

No. Where quarters are utilized and rations are available, there is no entitlement to the per diem meal rates established under the NJC Travel Directive. In this scenario, rations are not paid in advance with a financial code. Although the administration process appears different when paying at source, the entitlement does not create an enhanced entitlement when subsidized government facilities are available.

I am proceeding on a course and have received little warning. I need to bring a large amount of military baggage and cannot have it shipped through CMTT to get it there on time. Can I claim excess baggage on the flight?

Yes, the maximum amount of military baggage that may accompany the member is 100 kg. Any request for military baggage in excess of 100 kg requires DCBA approval.

Refs: CFTDTI 7.10, CFTDTI 7.11, CFTDTI 8.10 and CFTDTI 8.11

I am currently posted to Vancouver, can I take my PMV if I need to go to Borden on course?

Maybe. You will need to sign both the Annex A Member Request To Use PMV Acknowledgment of Limitations for the PMV Waiver and the DCBA waiver and cost comparison worksheet when your intent is to request use of your PMV rather than a more economical and practical mode of transportation. You will also be required to utilize sufficient paid leave for each additional day of travel over 500 kilometres (duty travel day). In the interest of safe driving, you are required to take 8 paid leave days each way, in addition to the one day of duty travel each way. If you don't have sufficient annual leave remaining, the CO has no choice but to deny PMV travel, in favour of the most economical and practical method of transportation (in this case, commercial air travel). PMV is not considered the most economical and practical method of transportation, except where the CO orders the use of PMV, IAW the CFTDTI.

NOTE: The Crown accepts no responsibility or liability to the member for, the loss of or damage to a PMV on duty travel and deductible insurance payments in respect of a PMV used on duty travel.

Refs: CFTDTI 4.12, CFTDTI 7.40 and CFTDTI 7.41
DCBA waiver and cost comparison IAW DCBA 3 02/09 111751Z MAR 09

I am a Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSE Op) and my dispatch sends me with a sleeper truck to deliver materiel to another base. Due to the distance, I cannot do a return trip during the same day. Am I entitled to claim non-commercial lodging for sleeping in my truck?

There is no entitlement to claim non-commercial accommodation while travelling with a sleeper truck. The definition of accommodation as contained in the CFTDTI for this case is as follows:

"quarters" - means an accommodation - without cooking facilities - available to a member at public expense, and includes "government and institutional accommodation" as defined in the NJC Travel Directive, as amended from time to time.

A Sleeper truck is considered as "government accommodation" and as such a member cannot claim for "non-commercial accommodation" while on TD.

Refs: CFTDTI 2.02 and CFTDTI 7.02(2)(a)

I am an MSE Op and my dispatch sends me with a sleeper truck to deliver materiel to another base. Because I sleep in my truck, can I claim for shower expenses?

Yes, as the sleeper truck is deemed to be "quarters" - where government provided shower facilities are unavailable - the member may be reimbursed actual and reasonable expenses.

Ref: CFTDTI 7.02(2)

I am departing on TD from my home, however prior to my departure my boss calls and requires me to be at work. Can I claim any expenses for travel from home to the permanent workplace?

Yes. A member is entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses to and from their permanent workplace if:

  1. an approving authority orders the member to work irregular hours one day;
  2. the irregular hours disrupt the member's regular travel to and from their permanent workplace that day; and
  3. no alternative transportation is provided to the member at public expense.

The amount of reimbursement is the cost of the disrupted travel minus the cost of regular travel to and from the permanent workplace.

Ref: CFTDTI 5.26

I am a reservist on Class A service serving in Halifax and am going on TD to Borden and wish to take my PMV in lieu of the more economical and practical mode of transportation. Am I permitted to utilize my PMV in this case?

No; not in this scenario based on distance to the location of TD. The preferred method of travel would be commercial air travel, and you would arrive and return within a few hours to your destination, hence one day duty travel each way. As kilometric travel is more than 500 km, a member requires paid leave during the non-duty travel days. Class A members are on duty status for the duration of their tasking, and that would be covered when travelling via the most economical and practical mode of transportation. Since paid leave is not factored in the structure of Class A Reserve service, it isn't possible to utilize PMV. If a Class A member wishes to use their PMV for travel to the duty destination, there is no requirement to request a waiver of entitlements, as there is no entitlement, in lieu. You are travelling of your own free will and volition.

NOTE: The Crown accepts no responsibility or liability to the member for, the loss of or damage to a PMV on duty travel and deductible insurance payments in respect of a PMV used on duty travel.

Refs: CFTDTI 7.40, CFTDTI 7.41, CFTDTI 8.40, CFTDTI 8.41 and CFTDTI 4.12(11)

I am a reservist employed outside of my home unit but within the geographical boundaries. What is my entitlement to travel to work?

A workplace change as a result of an employment opportunity becomes the member's permanent workplace for the duration of the period of employment. If eligible, the reservist is entitled to claim Transportation Assistance for Reserve Force Personnel on class "A" or "B" service for the distance travelled to the workplace in excess of 16 km as per the CBI 209.045(2).

Example:

Res F member from Lévis, his residence is 5 km away from the home unit. The member is not entitled to Transportation Assistance for Reserve Force Personnel on class "A" or "B" service. Distance between Lévis and Valcartier 39 km. Distance between the residence and Valcartier 34 km.

A reservist is selected for a summer job in Valcartier which is within the geographical boundaries of his home unit. If the reservist meets the eligibility criteria specified in the CBI 209.045(2), he will be entitled to Transportation Assistance for Reserve Force Personnel on class "A" or "B" service not TD benefits because this is a not a temporary workplace change but a new period of employment.

The entitlement would be (34 km x 2) - 32 km = 36 km at the lower kilometric rate established in the NJC Commuting Assistance Directive.