Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old female veteran with a history of financial difficulties under Guideline F, successfully mitigated security concerns related to her financial considerations. Despite accumulating $139,480 in delinquent debts, she resolved all debts through payments and agreements, demonstrating responsible financial behavior after overcoming abusive relationships that contributed to her financial issues. The judge found her current reliability and trustworthiness to be established, leading to a granted security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Applicant owed $1,447 to a credit card company on a judgment. This debt is resolved (1.a). The mortgage on Applicant’s house was written off and she was released from the mortgage balance of $138,476 (1.b). Applicant owed a credit union $12,497. She settled the debt for $6,789.60 payable in 18 monthly installments (1.c). This debt is also listed in the SOR for $1,293. Applicant submitted as an exhibit a release of judgment showing the debt was paid (1.d). Applicant owed three debts to a telephone company. She settled each account and paid the settlement amounts (1.e). Applicant owed three debts to a telephone company. She settled each account and paid the settlement amounts (1.f). Applicant owed three debts to a telephone company. She settled each account and paid the settlement amounts (1.g). Applicant owed an electric power company $339 for service provided to her former residence. She resolved this debt in February 2013 (1.h). Applicant has two medical debts for $137 and $86, which resulted from an injury suffered in a job after her military service. The employer’s worker’s compensation plan paid these debts and they are resolved (1.i). Applicant has two medical debts for $137 and $86, which resulted from an injury suffered in a job after her military service. The employer’s worker’s compensation plan paid these debts and they are resolved (1.j).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions F.1.a, F.1.c. The judge applied mitigating conditions F.2.a, F.2.b, F.2.c, F.2.d. The decision turned on the following: Applicant resolved all delinquent debts through payments or agreements; The financial issues arose from circumstances beyond her control, specifically abusive relationships; Applicant demonstrated responsible financial behavior and has a stable income from VA benefits.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- Applicant resolved all delinquent debts through payments or agreements.
- The financial issues arose from circumstances beyond her control, specifically abusive relationships.
- Applicant demonstrated responsible financial behavior and has a stable income from VA benefits.
Conditions Referenced
- F.1.araisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- F.1.craisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- F.2.aappliedThe Behavior Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- F.2.bappliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- F.2.cappliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control
- F.2.dappliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedFeb 16, 2016
- Answer filedMar 20, 2016
- Hearing heldSep 16, 2016
- Decision dateNov 23, 2016
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F Due to Abusive Relationships
- Resolution of Debts as a Factor in Granting Security Clearance
- Consideration of Personal Circumstances in Financial Delinquency Cases