Social Security to begin payments to gay couples
Married same-sex couples have started to receive Social Security benefits following the U.S. Supreme Court decision against the Defense of Marriage Act, according to an announcement from the agency.
In a statement on Friday, Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn Colvin announced that her agency is now processing “some” retirement spouse claims for same-sex couples in addition to “paying benefits where they are due.”
The change is attributed to the court decision against DOMA, which Colvin said helps “to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly and equally, with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
While the Supreme Court ruling against DOMA enables federal benefits, such as Social Security survivor’s benefits, to flow to married same-sex couples, not all questions on these benefits are answered. It’s unclear whether married gay couples can apply for benefits if they live in a state that doesn’t recognize their marriage because Social Security law looks to the state of residence, not the place of celebration, to determine whether a couple is married.
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/08/09/social-security-to-start-making-payments-to-gay-couples/
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