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MsTinkerbelly · 08-12-2013, 12:46 PM

Social Security Announces You Must Live In A Marriage Equality State To Collect Benefits – For Now

by Jean Ann Esselink on August 12, 2013

Saying they ”appreciate the public’s patience as we work through the legal issues to ensure that our policy is legally sound and clear,” the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Carolyn Colvin, announced the agency has begun processing claims from same-sex couples and their children who reside in states that recognize same-sex marriages. The couples must be legally married. Couples in civil unions will not be eligible for benefits at this time.

The announcement went on to say the agency continues to work with the Justice Department, and expects to develop additional “policy and processing instructions” which they will implement in the next “weeks and months.”

The short press release ended by urging anyone who thinks they should be eligible for benefits to continue filing claims, to protect your eligibility in case new policies are adopted in the future.

Story Writer’s Note: My gut feeling is that this decision should be viewed as more of a “what can we do right away?” response than a “this is all we’re going to do” announcement. The government moves slowly. My sense is they wanted to show they were working on the new policy, not that they expect to deny everyone else forever.

08-12-2013, 12:46 PM	#1224
MsTinkerbelly Timed Out - TOS Drama How Do You Identify?: ... Preferred Pronoun?: ... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: ... Posts: 6,573 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 30,737 Thanked 22,908 Times in 5,019 Posts Rep Power: 0	Social Security--non equality Social Security Announces You Must Live In A Marriage Equality State To Collect Benefits – For Now by Jean Ann Esselink on August 12, 2013 Saying they ”appreciate the public’s patience as we work through the legal issues to ensure that our policy is legally sound and clear,” the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, Carolyn Colvin, announced the agency has begun processing claims from same-sex couples and their children who reside in states that recognize same-sex marriages. The couples must be legally married. Couples in civil unions will not be eligible for benefits at this time. The announcement went on to say the agency continues to work with the Justice Department, and expects to develop additional “policy and processing instructions” which they will implement in the next “weeks and months.” The short press release ended by urging anyone who thinks they should be eligible for benefits to continue filing claims, to protect your eligibility in case new policies are adopted in the future. Story Writer’s Note: My gut feeling is that this decision should be viewed as more of a “what can we do right away?” response than a “this is all we’re going to do” announcement. The government moves slowly. My sense is they wanted to show they were working on the new policy, not that they expect to deny everyone else forever.