Clarification Bulletin – CAFRD 1 April 2024 Version – Application of CAFRD 9.1.08 (Storage in Transit (SIT))

Dated 5 June 2024

Issue

IAW CAFRD 9.1.08, when storage in transit is necessary, associated costs are funded by the Custom Account for the number of days that lodgings expenses are reimbursed from the Custom Account during ILM&M. This change came into effect 1 April 2024 where some members may have been in mid-move causing confusion as to when/if this policy change affects them. Some members may have already been required to convert their HG&E load from SIT to Storage at Owner’s Expense (SOE) under CAFRD 9.1.08 as it read prior to 1 April 2024.

Clarification

The changes to CAFRD 5.09 (Commercial lodgings), 5.10 (Non-Commercial lodgings) and CAFRD 9.1.08 (Storage in Transit (SIT)) came into effect on 1 April 2024. Those changes allow members to use their limited Custom Account to extend their interim lodgings and SIT benefits while they await the availability of their chosen accommodation.

As such, a member whose HG&E was in SIT on 31 March 2024 may have become entitled under CAFRD 9.1.08 to extended SIT expenses from 1 April 2024 and onward under the updated policy.

A member whose HG&E load had already been converted from SIT to SOE under CAFRD 9.1.08 as it read prior to 1 April 2024 is entitled to be reimbursed those SOE costs related to 1 April 2024 and onward. There is no requirement to convert the SOE back to SIT.

For greater certainty, the update to CAFRD 9.1.08 was not retroactive and storage costs incurred by a member at their own expense up to and including 31 March 2024 under the previous policy remain non-reimbursable.

Members are reminded that the funds in their Custom Account are limited and can be used for a wide variety of CAFRD benefits. If a member’s Custom Account becomes depleted while they are awaiting the availability of their chosen accommodation, continued interim lodgings and HG&E storage expenses will become the responsibility of the member.

In accordance with CAFRD 2.1.01 (Authority – DCBA), this clarification bulletin is policy direction that conveys the intent of the specific CAFRD provision as confirmed by the Treasury Board Secretariat.