Summary
The applicant, a 31-year-old defense contractor and former U.S. Air Force member, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to approximately $16,572 in delinquent debt. He demonstrated significant efforts to repay his debts through a structured repayment plan and financial counseling, leading to the granting of his security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: Credit card $3,817 (1.a). Credit card $2,803 (1.b). Collection account $1,849 (1.c). Collection account $1,126 (1.d). Collection account $4,228 (1.e).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(a), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant provided documentation of his repayment plan and timely payments to creditors; He demonstrated a good faith effort to resolve his debts and received financial counseling; The applicant's financial issues were largely historical and mitigated by his current stable income and responsible financial management.
Why the applicant prevailed
- The applicant provided documentation of his repayment plan and timely payments to creditors.
- He demonstrated a good faith effort to resolve his debts and received financial counseling.
- The applicant's financial issues were largely historical and mitigated by his current stable income and responsible financial management.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness 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 and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Person Has Received or Is Receiving Counseling for the Problem And/or There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Under Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt Which Is the Cause of the Problem and Provides Documented Proof to Substantiate the Basis of the Dispute or Provides Evidence of Actions to Resolve the Issue
Key rule quoted
“The adjudicative process is an examination of a sufficient period of a person’s life to make an affirmative determination that the person is eligible for a security clearance.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedNov 21, 2006
- Answer filedNov 29, 2006Applicant elected to have his case decided on the record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; decision made on the record.
- Decision dateOct 31, 2007
Cite for
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Good Faith Efforts in Debt Repayment
- Impact of Financial Counseling on Security Clearance Eligibility