Summary
The applicant, a 32-year-old single mother of three, faced security clearance denial under Guideline F due to significant financial difficulties, including approximately $18,170 in delinquent debt. Despite entering a debt management plan, the judge found insufficient evidence of responsible financial behavior or a commitment to resolving her debts, leading to doubts about her reliability and trustworthiness.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The debt in SOR ¶ 1.a is a credit card debt ($1,506) that is in collection and has not been paid in a couple of years (1.a). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.b is a credit card debt ($437). The account is closed and is not included in the debt management plan (1.b). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.c ($825) is for on-line classes Applicant took through a university (1.c). The debts in SOR ¶¶ 1.d and 1.f are credit card debts ($1,035, $727) (1.d). The debt in SOR 1.e is a store credit card ($550). The account closed last year and this debt is included in Applicant’s debt management plan (1.e). The debts in SOR ¶¶ 1.d and 1.f are credit card debts ($1,035, $727) (1.f). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.g is a debt incurred for on-line classes ($4,204) that Applicant took approximately four years ago (1.g). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.h is a debt for telephone services ($433) (1.h). The debts in SOR ¶¶ 1.i and 1.j are medical debts ($682 and $62) (1.i). The debts in SOR ¶¶ 1.i and 1.j are medical debts ($682 and $62) (1.j). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.k is a store credit card ($461). It is not included in the debt management plan (1.k). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.l is for on-line classes ($1,705) that Applicant believes she took sometime in 2001 (1.l). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.m is a credit card debt ($381). Applicant has not made any payments on the debt and has not contacted the creditor (1.m). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.n is a debt to a library ($41) for a lost book (1.n). The debt in SOR 1.o is a debt for cell phone services ($253) (1.o). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.p is a debt for an on-line school ($4,868) that Applicant participated in (1.p).
The judge denied the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c), AG ¶ 19(e). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(c), AG ¶ 20(d). The decision turned on the following: Applicant has approximately $18,170 in delinquent debt, with many debts remaining unpaid for years; The applicant's budget indicated difficulty in maintaining her debt management plan payments; The applicant incurred new debts for educational courses without addressing existing debts.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has approximately $18,170 in delinquent debt, with many debts remaining unpaid for years.
- The applicant's budget indicated difficulty in maintaining her debt management plan payments.
- The applicant incurred new debts for educational courses without addressing existing debts.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 19(e)raisedConsistent Spending Beyond One’s Means
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlSome financial difficulties were due to inconsistent child support and periods of unemployment.
- AG ¶ 20(c)rejectedReceived or Receiving CounselingThe applicant has not sought or received any financial counseling.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant made only one payment into the debt management plan and did not provide documentation of other payments.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJan 14, 2009
- Answer filedFeb 17, 2009
- Hearing heldApr 13, 2009
- Decision dateApr 24, 2009
Cite For
- Financial Responsibility Under Guideline F
- Impact of Delinquent Debts on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Importance of Demonstrating Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Financial Issues