- Agencies may reimburse employees 50% to 100% of internet costs up to $100 per month for telework, but the process requires monthly documentation
- The law requires a clear separation between personal and government internet use before reimbursement can be approved
- Senior officials in certain positions may receive direct government-funded telecom installations, which are handled through a separate appropriation process
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As telework has become a more common part of the federal work environment, the question of reimbursing employees for personal expenses tied to remote work has become increasingly relevant. While funding for telework-related costs is available through appropriations, the rules surrounding reimbursement require careful consideration. There are specific case laws and GAO guidance that govern how agencies can use appropriated funds for these purposes, and the details are worth understanding before pursuing any reimbursement claims.
GAO Guidance on Internet Reimbursement
The GAO has considered whether federal agencies may use appropriated funds to reimburse employees for high-speed internet access when telecommuting. The law requires agencies to ensure that adequate safeguards exist between an employee's private internet use and the services necessary for direct support of the agency's mission. In practical terms, this means determining whether the personal and government uses of a home internet connection can be separated, which is difficult when most employees do not have a dedicated government-funded line coming into their residence.
Employees who telework are generally required to maintain high-speed internet access that meets certain specifications at their home. The government has considered eligibility to reimburse between 50% and 100% of the cost, up to a maximum of $100 per month, depending on the amount of monthly use dedicated to government work.
The Monthly Documentation Requirement
Obtaining this reimbursement involves a significant amount of paperwork. Employees must submit copies of their internet service provider invoices each month and attest to the appropriate percentage of internet service used for government purposes. This monthly documentation requirement makes the process somewhat tedious, and for those whose internet costs fall below the $100 cap, the reimbursement may not feel proportional to the administrative effort involved.
As of current guidance, this is the primary mechanism available for reimbursing federal employees for personal telework expenses. The maximum reimbursement remains $100 per month, and the process requires consistent monthly submissions to maintain eligibility.
Direct Government Telecom Installations
There are circumstances in which an agency may require internet service, phone service, and other telecommunications to be installed directly at an employee's residence. This is typically reserved for individuals at higher levels of government. Officials in the Office of the Executive President, the State Department, Congress, intelligence agencies, and senior military positions are likely to have dedicated communication lines installed at their primary residences.
For these individuals, the cost of the initial installation is handled through an appropriation, and the ongoing service may not require personal reimbursement in the same way it does for general teleworkers. Members of nearly any agency at the assistant secretary or secretary level may also qualify for this type of direct communication setup.
Consulting the Red Book and Legal Counsel
The Red Book contains case laws and categorized guidance that cover telework reimbursement scenarios in greater detail. Federal employees seeking reimbursement or agencies looking to establish telework reimbursement programs should review these materials carefully. Additionally, consulting with legal counsel is recommended to ensure that employees who are required to maintain teleworking capability are given proper equipment installation at no personal cost, and that those seeking standard internet reimbursement are fairly compensated within the bounds of the law.
