# 2025-124 Pay and Benefits, Home Equity Assistance

Case summary

F&R Date: 2026-01-06

The grievor disputed the decision from the Director Compensation and Benefits Administration to not reimburse the fees related to the sale of their home following their posting to Ottawa. More specifically, all the expenses related to Temporary Dual Residence Assistance (TDRA) and Home Equity Assistance (HEA).

Director General Compensation and Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), denied the grievance. The IA concluded that the grievor did not actively market and sell their principal residence but transferred ownership to their former spouse. As a result, this transaction did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under Chapter 8 (Sale and Purchase of a residence) of the Canadian Armed Forces relocation directive (CAFRD), and the grievor is not entitled to HEA or TDRA. Lastly, the IA determined that this transaction did not qualify as an arm's length transaction.

The Committee found that the grievor was not entitled to TDRA or HEA benefits. The Committee reasoned that the grievor and their former spouse did not actively market their joint residence. There was a financial transaction for the former spouse to buy out the grievor's share of their primary residence. The Committee found that the policy was clear that a real estate transaction must be at “arm's length” to be eligible for relocation benefits under Chapter 8 of CAFRD. This means that the sale/transaction cannot be consummated between two or more individuals who are connected by marriage. This situation, contrary to the grievor's contention, negates article 8.1.08 (Co-ownership) of CAFRD. The Committee recommended that the Final Authority not afford the grievor redress.