Falling temperatures, blowing snow and dangerous travel conditions

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The government said Thursday it will make federal marriage benefits available to all same-sex couples.

The Obama administration had previously extended most federal benefits to married same-sex couples. But the federal government could not distribute Social Security and VA benefits to couples living in states where such marriages were prohibited.

 that gays and lesbians in every state have a right to be married, 

 says programs for veterans, the elderly and disabled will also provide benefits to all married same-sex couples.


 the government is working out the details about how the changes will be implemented:


But the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs were required to distribute their benefits based on where the couples lived.


Lynch says the Justice Department "will continue to work across the administration to fulfill our commitment to equal treatment for all Americans, including equal access to the benefits of marriage that the [

Social Issues

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that gays and lesbians in every state have a right to be married, programs for veterans, the elderly and disabled will also provide benefits to all married same-sex couples.

Government extending federal benefits to all married same-sex couples

Go Deeper.

Like this?