Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Communication key in protecting security clearance during financial hardshipsPublished Oct. 9, 2013
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
                    
                    
                    Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Operating Location - Pentagon
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS) --**As the government shutdown continues, Air Force leadership wants their civilian workforce to communicate well and often as possible financial challenges arise -- something that could impact one’s security clearance.
With such a large number of civilians possessing security clearances, including many workers in the space and cyber theaters, leaders want the civilian force to know the steps to take if financial hardships are incurred during the current furloughs.
“If you find yourself in a situation where financial problems or significant debt are a concern to you, it is best to let the chain of command know early and enable them to help you work through the problem,” said Maj. Neil Whelden, Security and Special Programs oversight officer.
If a financial issue is caught early, Air Force teammates are in place to help, Whelden said.
According to The White House’s Information Security Oversight Office, there are conditions that could mitigate security concerns.
Those include “...conditions that resulted in the financial problem were largely beyond the person's control (e.g. loss of employment, a business downturn, unexpected medical emergency, or a death, divorce or separation), and the individual acted responsibly under the circumstances,” according to the memorandum titled Adjudicative Guidelines.“The individual has a reasonable basis to dispute the legitimacy of the past-due debt which is the cause of the problem and provides documented proof to substantiate the basis of the dispute or provides evidence of actions to resolve the issue.”
Air Force officials offer the following tips to mitigate short and long-term strain. Their recommendations are:
– Work with creditors to maintain debt in a responsible manner
– Keep documentation of financial situations and communications with creditors
– Keep the local security office informed of any emerging financial problems
Proactive communication between members and financial institutions is key to ensuring significant debt does not pile up, which could hurt a security clearance, according to Whelden.
“Personnel should reach out to banks and creditors to renegotiate debt terms or mitigate debt impact,” he said.“Many banks are willing to change terms and defer payments for furloughed employees.”

In addition to the suggestions above, there are several issues that should be reported to the unit’s security officer. They include:

– Bankruptcy or required credit counseling
– Inability to pay federal, state or other taxes
– Delinquency on alimony or child support
– Judgment for failure to meet financial obligations
– Liens placed against the holder
– Delinquency on a federal debt
– Repossessions of property
– Suspension of accounts, charge offs or cancellation for failure to pay
– Evictions
– Garnished wages
– More than 120 days delinquent on any debt
Continue to visit www.af.mil for the most updated info on the government shutdown, and how it impacts Airmen, civilian and their families.debt 



government shutdown 



finances 



civilians 



security clearance Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil