# 2024-202 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, Temporary Dual Residence Assistance

Case summary

F&R Date: 2026-01-05

The grievor disputed the Director of Compensation and Benefits Administration's decision to deny his request for Temporary Dual Residence Allowance (TDRA) benefits. The grievor stated that he was only made aware that a third-party appraisal was required several months after he had sold his principal residence, when BGRS reviewed his TDRA claim. At that time, the grievor obtained the only document his bank would provide him – a letter confirming the appraisal amount and argued that it should sufficiently meet the policy criteria. As redress, the grievor requested reimbursement of his TDRA claim costs in addition to an amendment to the relocation policy to clarify the requirement of a third-party appraisal. 

The Director General Compensation Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), denied redress. The IA explained that the denial of TDRA benefits was not due to a misinterpretation of who can provide the appraisal, but rather a lack of an appraisal report itself or an acceptable replacement. The IA did not find the certified letter from the grievor's bank to be a sufficient replacement for an appraisal report, to meet the definition of “actively marketed” in the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive in force at the time and therefore found that the grievor is not entitled to benefits. 

The Committee found that the grievor met the conditions for his principal residence to be considered unsold and vacant, and that the letter from his bank was a reasonable replacement for an appraisal report. As such, the Committee found that the grievor is entitled to TDRA in accordance with the CFIRP Directive. The Committee further noted that the information given to the grievor by BGRS could have been clearer, highlighting the challenges faced by Canadian Armed Forces members who are unfamiliar with relocations. The Committee recommended that the Final Authority grant reimbursement of the grievor's TDRA claim.