Summary
A 57-year-old information assurance analyst was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The Statement of Reasons detailed several financial allegations, including a $66,277 student loan on which the applicant was paying $500 monthly, an $8,477 vehicle loan balance, and numerous unpaid medical co-pays. Other allegations included a debt related to a workers’ compensation claim for which he was not responsible, a disputed life insurance policy debt, and a denied account with a specific creditor. The applicant was also unaware of an outstanding judgment for a medical debt.
Disqualifying conditions under Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) ¶ 19(a) and ¶ 19(c) were raised. However, mitigating conditions under AG ¶ 20(a), ¶ 20(b), and ¶ 20(d) were applied.
The clearance was granted because the applicant demonstrated consistent payments on his largest debt, the student loan. Furthermore, there was no evidence of new delinquent debts since he began his current employment in August 2016. The applicant's financial difficulties were primarily attributed to periods of unemployment, which were largely beyond his control.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant has been making consistent payments towards his largest debt, a student loan.
- There is no evidence of new delinquent debts since starting his current employment in August 2016.
- The applicant's financial issues were primarily due to periods of unemployment, which were largely beyond his control.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“An applicant does not have to be debt-free in order to qualify for a security clearance.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 31, 2017
- Answer filedNov 20, 2017
- Hearing held—Decision made without a hearing.
- Decision dateJul 13, 2018
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F Due to Consistent Debt Repayment Efforts
- Consideration of Employment-related Financial Difficulties as Mitigating Factors
- The Principle That Applicants Do Not Need to Be Debt-free to Qualify for a Security Clearance