NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 9780.1 Effective Date: January 17, 2017 Expiration Date: July 17, 2028

Subject: Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of Certain Employees, Revalidated on January 24, 2023 with Change 1.

Responsible Office: Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Chapter 2. General Provisions

2.1 Payment of Death-Related Expenses for a NASA Employee

2.1.1 NASA will pay allowable expenses related to an employee's death when, at the time of death, the employee was serving in any of the following capacities, as identified under 41 CFR § 303-70:

a. On official travel status (away from the official duty station).

b. Performing official duties OCONUS or in transit to or from such duties.

c. Reassigned away from his/her home of record under a mandatory mobility agreement, such as an assignment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA).

d. Performing duties in direct support of or directly related to a military operation, including: a contingency operation, or an emergency declared by the President, as provided in 41 CFR. § 303-70.600.

e. Performing official law enforcement duties as determined by NASA's Administrator, or designee, and considered a covered employee as provided in 41 CFR § 303-70.700.

2.1.2 When the requirements of 41 CFR § 303-70 are met, for an employee whose death is not work-related or occurs on a non-workday, NASA will:

a. Pay death-related expenses.

b. Authorize payment of allowable expenses for an employee who dies when on leave, or dies on a non-workday, while in temporary duty (TDY) status, or while stationed OCONUS.

2.1.3 Payment cannot exceed the amount allowed if the death had occurred at the TDY station, or at the official station OCONUS.

2.1.4 NASA will pay allowable expenses related to an eligible employee's death, regardless of the cause of death.

2.2 Payment of Death-Related Expenses for a NASA Employee's Immediate Family Member

2.2.1 An employee may request that NASA pay for allowable expenses related to the death of an immediate family member, as defined in 41 CFR § 303-70, if at the time of death:

a. The employee is performing official duties OCONUS.

b. The immediate family member resided with the employee at the assigned TDY station or OCONUS location.

2.2.2 NASA will pay allowable expenses related to death of an employee's immediate family member regardless of the cause of death.

2.3 Death-Related Expenses Covered under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act

2.3.1 When an employee is injured while performing official duty or conducting official travel, and subsequently dies from those injuries, certain death-related expenses may be payable under 5 U.S.C. § 8134.

2.3.2 NASA will not pay for a death-related expenses under the authority of this NPR or 41 CFR § 303-70 if that expense is payable under 5 U.S.C. § 8134. However, the $800 limit specified in 5 USC § 8134 may not cover all death-related and burial costs. Depending on the situation and the chain of events, the Agency's medical evacuation and emergency medical services contract may be activated to pay for death-related expenses. These expenses are billed directly to the Center at which the deceased employee was employed.

2.4 Claims for Reimbursement

2.4.1 Per 41 CFR § 303-70, receipts are required for claims for reimbursement of death-related expenses.

2.4.2 All requests for NASA reimbursement of death-related expenses for an eligible employee, or immediate family member, will be supported by an original receipt or invoice.

2.4.3 NASA may pay allowable death-related expenses for an eligible employee, or immediate family member, directly to the provider or to an employee in the form of a reimbursement.

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