Summary
A 54-year-old truck driver employed by a defense contractor was granted a security clearance under Guideline F, Financial Considerations. The applicant initially faced concerns regarding ten delinquent accounts totaling $23,842. These debts included a $20,648 medical debt from a hospital stay, along with eight other medical debts ranging from $254 to $618, and a $97 collection account for a book club.
Disqualifying conditions under Guideline F were raised due to the number and amount of delinquent debts. However, the applicant demonstrated substantial mitigating efforts. Payment arrangements were made for the largest medical debt, and the applicant is current on those payments. Furthermore, nine of the ten debts were settled and paid off between July 2014 and November 2015.
The applicant's financial difficulties were attributed to periods of unemployment and depression, which have since been resolved. Based on these mitigating factors and the applicant's proactive steps to address the financial issues, the security clearance was granted.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant made payment arrangements for the largest debt and is current on payments.
- Nine of the ten debts were settled and paid off between July 2014 and November 2015.
- The applicant's financial problems were largely due to periods of unemployment and depression, which have since been resolved.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(a)appliedBehavior Happened so Long Ago or Occurred Under Circumstances Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedReceived or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedInitiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(e)rejectedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 29, 2015
- Answer filedNov 9, 2015Applicant elected to have the case decided on the written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision based on written record.
- Decision dateAug 24, 2016
Cite For
- Mitigating Conditions Under Guideline F for Financial Issues
- Consideration of Whole-person Factors in Security Clearance Decisions
- Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Responsibility Evaluations