Originally published at: Applicant Overcomes $2 Million in Debts to Get Security Clearance | ClearanceJobs Blog
Unresolved financial issues are the most common reason for the denial of a security clearance. A common misnomer is that the amount of debt directly correlates to the clearance denial. This is not true. It is the circumstances that led to the debts and actions taken to resolve the debts that weigh in more importantly. A recent Department…
Yeah, goes without saying that a one-off catastrophic financial event resulting from a divorce, medical crisis, or business bust clearly is not indicative of any financial irresponsibility. Usually. The fact that he could incur such a large debt is evidence of his ability to create a massively successful business in the first place. So we know that he a history of financial prudence.
And while the amount of debt is not always a factor, likewise neither is the number of delinquent accounts in some cases. E.g., 12 delinquent accounts for medical bills which were incurred over a one or two-year period usually indicates a medical crisis along with the difficulties of dealing with insurance companies and the inanity of hospital billing. Not necessarily financial irresponsibility. Meanwhile 8 delinquent accounts from Best Buy, Old Navy, Sephora, Nordstrom, Nike, etc., is fairly good evidence of irresponsibility.