# 2019-257 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, Dependants, Interim Lodging, Meals and Incidentals

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-04-29

The grievor challenged the denial of relocation benefits for his spouse when he was posted from one location to another and she joined him there. The Committee found that, as the grievor had not been married for more than 240 days in advance of his date of relocation and, since his spouse had not resided with him prior to the relocation, she did not meet the definition of “dependant” and he therefore did not qualify for additional relocation expense in relation to his spouse. The Committee also found, however, that the grievor was entitled to claim interim lodgings and meals (ILM&I) for his spouse during the house-hunting trip they took together.

FA decision summary

The Final Authority (FA) agreed with the Committee that because the grievor married within 240 days of his posting move, for his spouse to fall within the definition of a dependant in section 1.4 of the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) she had to have moved into his residence prior to the posting, and she had not. The FA therefore agreed with the Committee that the grievor was not eligible for the dependant portion of the posting allowance or for reimbursement of IL&M expenses incurred by his spouse during the relocation.

The FA also agreed with the Committee that the CFIRP provides funding from the Core envelope for "spouses" and from the Custom envelope for "dependants" with respect to the house-hunting trips. As the grievor's spouse did meet the definition of a spouse in section 1.4 of the CFIRP, the FA agreed that the grievor was eligible for reimbursement of IL&M expenses for his spouse during the house-hunting trip.