Monday, December 16, 2013

Social Security Begins Processing Payments To Married Gay Couples

The Obama administration on Monday announced that the Social Security Administration has started processing payments to married gay and lesbian couples.

Carolyn W. Colvin, acting commissioner of Social Security, announced the changes in a statement emailed to On Top Magazine.

“I am pleased to announce that, effective today, Social Security is processing some widow's and widower's claims by surviving members of same-sex marriages and paying benefits where they are due. In addition, we are able to pay some one-time lump sum death benefit claims to surviving same-sex spouses,” Colvin said.

The move comes roughly six months after the Supreme Court knocked down a critical provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which blocked the federal government from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples.

“We ask for continued patience from the public as we work closely with the Department of Justice to develop policies that are legally sound so we can process claims,” Colvin added.

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