Summary
The applicant, a 36-year-old single mother and veteran, sought a security clearance under Guideline F due to financial considerations stemming from her responsibilities as a caregiver and periods of unemployment. The judge found that the applicant's financial difficulties were largely beyond her control and that she had taken significant steps to manage her debts, leading to a decision to grant her security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: a judgment on a loan for $1,783 (1.a). a charged-off loan for $4,455 (1.b). another charged-off loan for $9,745 (1.c). a medical debt for $5,000 (1.d). a charged-off credit card debt for $2,196 (1.e). a charged-off loan for $1,363 (1.f). a credit card collection account for $621 (1.g). a medical account in collection for $2,039 (1.h). a medical account in collection for $346 (1.i). a credit card account in collection for $1,931 (1.j). a loan in collection for $211 (1.k). a book club debt in collection for $87 (1.l). a credit card debt charged-off for $2,102 (1.m). a credit card account in collection for $300 (1.n). a medical account in collection for $826 (1.o).
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(b), AG ¶ 20(d), AG ¶ 20(e). The decision turned on the following: The applicant demonstrated that her financial difficulties were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, including being a single mother and caregiver for multiple children; She provided evidence of a good-faith effort to resolve her debts, including settlements and payments on several accounts; The applicant's current financial situation showed she was living within her means and was not incurring new debts.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant demonstrated that her financial difficulties were largely due to circumstances beyond her control, including being a single mother and caregiver for multiple children.
- She provided evidence of a good-faith effort to resolve her debts, including settlements and payments on several accounts.
- The applicant's current financial situation showed she was living within her means and was not incurring new debts.
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(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problems Were Largely Beyond the Person’s Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Has Initiated a Good-faith Effort to Repay the Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
- AG ¶ 20(e)appliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedMay 2, 2012
- Answer filedJun 1, 2012
- Hearing heldJul 24, 2012
- Decision dateAug 9, 2012
Cite For
- Mitigating Conditions for Financial Considerations Under Guideline F
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Impact of Personal Circumstances on Financial Obligations