Same-Sex Partners, Spouses Finally Eligible For Social Security Survivor's Benefits

[babylonsister]

Politics
Same-Sex Partners, Spouses Finally Eligible For Social Security Survivor's Benefits
“Today’s development ensures that the door stays open for seniors who were wrongly locked out," Lambda Legal said.
By
Nick Visser
11/01/2021 11:43pm EDT


Social Security survivor’s benefits are now available to same-sex spouses and partners after being denied to them for years based on old bans on gay marriage.

The Department of Justice and the Social Security Administration on Monday dropped federal appeals against two class-action lawsuits over the benefits, which allow surviving partners to access government payments. Thousands of same-sex couples, however, were refused the benefits amid requirements that they be married for a minimum of nine months.

The group Lambda Legal filed two class-action suits on behalf of surviving spouses and partners in 2018, saying many Americans were unable to marry because of bans on gay marriage or they weren’t able to be married for the nine-month period after marriage equality laws were passed.

“This is a historic development with immense implications: survivor’s benefits are now equally available to everyone, including potentially thousands of same-sex partners who could not marry their loved ones and may have thought it was futile to apply,” Peter Rein, Lambda Legal’s counsel, said in a statement. “Today’s development ensures that the door stays open for seniors who were wrongly locked out from critical benefits because of discriminatory laws.”

more...

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/same-sex-partners-social-security-survivors_n_61807ff1e4b03830d836e579

[IronLionZion]

1. That's a big reason why douchebags opposed same sex marriage

they didn't want these folks to get benefits. Since same sex marriage doesn't affect straight people at all. It's out of spite.

[geardaddy]

2. Yep, that makes total sense

What douchebags.

[gademocrat7]

3. Good news

Long overdue.

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. That is nice, but they will still deny the vast majority of claims, so it changes little. (n/t)

The figure I found was 63%, but as I have never met anyone who managed to get approved on the first try, I know that figure is higher. I also really enjoyed this line: 'Disability claimants should never resign themselves to giving up on an SSDI or SSI claim.' Because we all have the resources to just keep on fighting for that $285 a month. Typical insanity from a typically insane system.