As you progress through your orientation a number of questions may arise. Below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you do not find what you are looking for you may contact either your new supervisor, sponsor, functional contacts at your center, or the Employee Orientation Manager at your center.

1. When will I receive my first paycheck?
2. Where do I report on my first day?
3. Will my federal health benefits cover pre-existing conditions?
4. Who can I talk to about my health benefits?
5. How soon does my health insurance take effect?
6. Who can I talk to about my relocation?
7. What does PCS mean?
8. Will I have time off to take care of my relocation?
9. Does NASA pay for my relocation?
10. What's the difference between a permanent, temporary, and term employee?
11. What is "annual" leave?
12. How soon can I start taking sick and annual leave?
13. Is there anyone who can assist me in finding day care?
14. Can I access my home email from my NASA computer?
15. When will I get my NASA email address and user name and password?
16. What is a grade or step?
17. Where can I find answers to my questions about pay?
    

1. When will I receive my first paycheck?
   Your first paycheck will be deposited the Friday after the end of the pay period in which you were hired. You can access the NASA Schedule of Holidays, Pay Periods and Pay Dates at: http://nasapeople.nasa.gov/employeebenefits/leave/2009Calendar.pdf
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2. Where do I report on my first day?
   Visit the your center orientation webpage. Look in the right hand column and click on the button labeled first day instructions.
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3. Will my federal health benefits cover pre-existing conditions?
   Yes, your federal heath benefits will cover pre-existing conditions. There are no exclusions or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions in any plan in the FEHB Program. This is also true after you retire.
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4. Who can I talk to about my health benefits?
   You can talk to your Benefits Counselor at NSSC to get information bout your health benefits.
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5. How soon does my health insurance take effect?
   Your health insurance will take effect the pay period after you submit your enrollment for to your Human Resources Office. For more information go to: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/faq/index.asp 
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6. Who can I talk to about my relocation?
   The contact table that was provided to you, lists a relocation contact person. Also, you may visit the relocation website linked to this website.
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7. What does PCS mean?
   PCS means Permanent Change of Station. This normally refers to employees who are moving from one NASA center to another.
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8. Will I have time off to take care of my relocation?
   Generally, supervisors are very lenient in approving annual leave to support your relocation. Note: annual leave is advanced to new employees based upon the number of pay periods remaining in the year.
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9. Does NASA pay for my relocation?
   NASA generally pays for relocation of current employees. New employees may also receive payment for portions of their relocation costs. See the relocation website for more details.
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10. What's the difference between a permanent, temporary, and term employee?
    A permanent employee is on an appointment without time limit. A term employee is very similar to a permanent employee with the exception that their appointment is time limited. Typically, from two to six years. A temporary employee typically is appointed for one year or less.
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11. What is "annual" leave?
    Annual leave is time that you accrue each full pay period that you work, that can be used for vacations and/or personal business. Your accrual rate is based on the amount of Federal service that you have. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/annual.asp
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12. How soon can I start taking sick and annual leave?
    You can start using your sick and annual leave as soon as you are hired.
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13. Is there anyone who can assist me in finding day care?
    Yes, many NASA centers either have onsite day care or arrangements with another provider. Your sponsor may also assist you with researching available day care facilities.
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14. Can I access my home email from my NASA computer?
    Generally, you are not permitted to access your home email from NASA computers.
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15. When will I get my NASA email address and user name and password?
    NASA will make every attempt to have your NASA email address active on your first day of work.
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16. What is a grade or step?
    Your pay grade is the level at which you are paid. The pay grade of your position is set according to government-wide position classification standards. Within each grade level, there are 10 steps.
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17. Where can I find answers to my questions about pay?
    To find answers to your questions about pay, visit the NASAPeople, Understanding Your NASA Pay website.
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