Method of Payment Acceptance

Background

The Agency may accept payment from a non-Federal source in the form of a check or similar instrument made payable to the Agency, or it may authorize the employee or spouse to accept payment in kind.

Permissible In Kind Payments Made Directly to Employee or Spouse

After the Deciding Official approves acceptance of payment, the employee or spouse is authorized to receive the following types of payment in kind on behalf of the Agency. Examples include:

- Dinner
- Airline ticket
- Lodging

Also permitted are checks made payable to the Agency. (Checks made payable to the Agency must be submitted to the appropriate office as soon as practicable.)

Employee/Spouse

NEITHER AN EMPLOYEE NOR A SPOUSE IS AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE CASH, A CHECK, OR A SIMILAR INSTRUMENT MADE PAYABLE TO THE TRAVELER.

Contact

If you have any ethics questions related to the acceptance of travel funds from non-Federal sources, contact your Agency/Area Ethics Advisor or the USDA Office of Ethics – Science Ethics Branch. If REE employees have any travel questions, contact the Travel and Relocation Services Branch, Financial Management Division.