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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