Summary
The applicant, a 46-year-old single mother of three, sought a security clearance under Guideline F concerning financial considerations. She had accumulated approximately $20,437 in debts but demonstrated significant efforts to resolve them, including establishing payment plans and disputing one debt. The judge found that the applicant mitigated the financial concerns and granted her eligibility for a security clearance.
Under Guideline F (Financial Considerations), the Statement of Reasons alleged the following: state tax debt $4,018 (1.a). state tax debt $306 (1.b). federal tax debt $147 (1.c). medical debt $2,895 (1.d). traffic ticket debt $250 (1.e). medical debt $125 (1.f). medical debt $24 (1.g). medical debt $20 (1.h). medical debt $17 (1.i). repossession debt $12,635 (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.c, F.2.d, F.2.e. The decision turned on the following: The applicant resolved or is actively resolving multiple debts through payment plans; She provided documentation of payments made towards her debts, demonstrating responsible financial behavior; The applicant disputed one debt, showing she is taking steps to address all financial concerns.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant resolved or is actively resolving multiple debts through payment plans.
- She provided documentation of payments made towards her debts, demonstrating responsible financial behavior.
- The applicant disputed one debt, showing she is taking steps to address all financial concerns.
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.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
- F.2.eappliedThe Individual Has a Reasonable Basis to Dispute the Legitimacy of the Past-due Debt
Key Rule Quoted
“A security clearance adjudication is not a debt collection procedure. It is a procedure designed to evaluate an applicant’s judgment, reliability, and trustworthiness.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 12, 2014
- Answer filedSep 29, 2014
- Hearing held—Decided on the written record.
- Decision dateAug 20, 2015
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Concerns Under Guideline F
- Good-faith Efforts to Resolve Debts
- Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Evaluations