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Originally Posted by dpiatek  A few questions as I'm trying to figure out how much money I need set aside for the move. Sorry if these have been asked before but I've searched and haven't come across them directly.
For the FAA apartments like Walnut Gardens, etc., how much is required to pay upfront? Usually apartments require a deposit and first months rent. But since I've read about them being daily rates, I just wanted to make sure.
How many weeks into the OKC training until you receive your first paycheck?
Does the first paycheck include the per diem? I've read that you have to submit paperwork after being there so many days.
Is there a per diem for food expenses? I remember ALTRACON mentioning $49 but no one else usually includes it in the daily $81 per diem figure. So basically, you will be getting paid your 9$/hr salary, $81 daily lodging per diem, and $49 daily food per diem?
In regards to submitting paperwork for reimbursement of travel expenses to OKC, will this make it into the first/second paycheck?
Thanks, appreciate the help. |
Here is how it works.... Lets just say I have done a lot of traveling for the Government.....
When you get to OKC they will have you file a travel voucher, that is for your travel expenses. you fill out the form and submit your reciepts and turn it in. Anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks later the money will be in your bank account, that is if you are a direct deposit person, if not then a check will be given to you.
As For Per diem, that is seperate from your pay checks. So yes you will get the $9/hr plus the per diem. And yes it is non-taxable. As far as the IRS is concerned, you never got that money. Basically it is a reimbursment for what the GAO says it costs you to temporarily be in OKC. The rates change every so often. But the $80/day is actually a composite of several different things. The rate is actually published like this, Max lodging is this $##, then you get $## for Breakfast, and $## for Lunch and $## for dinner, you also get $## for what is called incidentals ( basically toothpaste and deoderant, etc...).
Now for every full day that you are there, you get the total amount. But on days that are "travel days", i.e., the days you leave and arrive, you get 75% of the total amount.
To get the money, you have to submit another travel Voucher (or you can do one large voucher at the end and include everything). you can do this every 14 days or every month or when you get to your actual facility. It is your Choice. Again anywhere from 3 days to 2 Weeks later the money shows up in your account, a completely seperate transaction from your regular pay. Now here is one catch, your lodging portion is the only portion that is flexible, the amount published is your maximum allowed, that said if the reciepts show you are paying less than the maximum, then they are only going to pay the amount that is on your reciepts, on the other side, if you get a place that is more expensive than the amount allowed they are only going to pay up to the maximum allowed. So that could change the actual amount that you get payed. Now if you noticed, all the places around the Training center all have the same nightly rates, I venture to say that whatever their nightly rate is, it is exactly what the current published lodging rate for per diem is..... All the other amounts are set in stone, so however much you spend on food is up to the individual person, they will still pay you according to the published rates for OKC. Whatever you actually spend the meals and incidental money on is up to whatever you feel like.
As far as your questions about the Apartments.... I can't answer those.