Summary
The applicant, a 30-year-old program manager for a federal contractor, faced security concerns under Guideline F due to financial difficulties stemming from past medical issues and poor financial decisions. Despite a history of delinquent debts, the applicant demonstrated a good-faith effort to resolve her financial obligations and has since stabilized her financial situation, leading to the granting of her security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: The debt in SOR ¶ 1.b is a tax lien ($830) Applicant was unaware about until she received the SOR (1.b). The debt in SOR ¶¶ 1.c and 1.d are for medical services ($57 and $37). Applicant was unaware of these debts until receiving the SOR (1.c). The debt in SOR ¶¶ 1.c and 1.d are for medical services ($57 and $37). Applicant was unaware of these debts until receiving the SOR (1.d). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.e is a credit card debt ($439) that went delinquent when Applicant was on disability (1.e). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.f ($2,441) is a credit card debt. Applicant used her tax refund to pay the debt in 2007, but did not realize there were additional charges to her account (1.f). The debt in SOR ¶1.g is a medical debt ($2,000) incurred when Applicant gave birth to her daughter (1.g). The debt in SOR ¶ 1.h is for a car loan ($4,663) (1.h). The service was able to clear up some of the disputed debts. Specifically they resolved the debt in SOR ¶ 1.i ($1,014) (1.i).
The judge granted the clearance. The government raised disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 19(a), AG ¶ 19(c). The judge applied mitigating conditions AG ¶ 20(b), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant made a good-faith effort to resolve her debts and set up payment plans; She has stabilized her financial situation and is living within her means; The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, including medical issues.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant made a good-faith effort to resolve her debts and set up payment plans.
- She has stabilized her financial situation and is living within her means.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, including medical issues.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedConditions That Resulted in Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedReasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMar 5, 2009
- Answer filedMar 13, 2009
- Hearing heldJun 11, 2009
- Decision date—
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Issues Under Guideline F
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Impact of Medical Issues on Financial Stability