Meals

Travelers are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel only when away from “official domicile” or temporary assignment unless exception is granted in accordance with these regulations. Temporary assignment will be deemed to have ceased after a period of thirty-one calendar days, and after such period the place of assignment will be deemed to be his/her official domicile.  He/she shall not be allowed travel and subsistence unless permission to extend the thirty-one day period has been previously secured from the Commissioner of Administration.  

Receipts are not required for routine meals within the per diem allowances.  However, if prior approval was granted to exceed the per diem allowance by no more than twenty-five percent, receipts are required.  Special approval is made on a case-by-case basis.  Each case must be fully documented as the necessity and cost effectiveness of alternative options in the designated area on the Authorization to Travel Form. 

Meals are not eligible for reimbursement on single day travel.  Reimbursement for meals are to be reported on the Travel Expense Account Form by date and type of meal (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).   Partial meals such as continental breakfasts or airline meals are not considered meals. Meal per diem may not be claimed if a meal is provided at a hosted function such as meals included in the conference registration fee.

Reimbursement for alcohol is prohibited.

Travelers may be reimbursed (including tax and tips) up to the following amounts for meals.

                        Tier I               Tier II             Tier III            Tier IV
Breakfast          $ 7.00              $ 8.00              $10.00            $11.00
Lunch               $10.00             $12.00             $14.00             $15.00
Dinner              $14.00             $17.00             $21.00             $25.00
                        $31.00             $37.00             $45.00             $51.00

Tier I In-State cities with the exception of New Orleans
Tier II New Orleans and out-of-State cities; with the exception of the cities listed in Tier III and Tier IV.
Tier III Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, Hartford, CT, Houston, Kansas City, MO, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, Oakland, CA., Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, ME, Portland, OR, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa, Wilmington, DE., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, all of Alaska and Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa.
Tier IV Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC and international cities.

Types of Travel
Single Day Travel  
Overnight Travel
International
Special Meals

Sample Travel Expense Account Form