Gay married couples gain U.S. benefits

WASHINGTON - Same-sex married couples can start applying for Social Security and veterans benefits for spouses in all 50 states, but there are still issues to resolve as the federal government works to implement the Supreme Court ruling allowing gay couples to marry nationwide.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Thursday the federal government is making marriage benefits available to same-sex couples in every state.

The vast majority of federal marriage benefits were already available to same-sex couples, following a 2013 Supreme Court ruling that struck down the federal ban on gay marriage. However, some Social Security and veterans benefits for spouses were still denied to these couples if they lived in states that did not recognize their marriages.

"I am proud to announce that the critical programs for veterans and elderly and disabled Americans, which previously could not give effect to the marriages of couples living in states that did not recognize those marriages, will now provide federal recognition for all marriages nationwide," Lynch said in a statement. "The agencies are currently working towards providing guidance to implement this change in law."

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 last month that the Constitution provides a right to same-sex marriage. Before the ruling, there were 13 states that did not recognize same-sex marriages.

In her statement, Lynch said the government will strive to "fulfill our commitment to equal treatment for all Americans."

But there are still unresolved questions about how the federal government will implement the ruling, said Vickie Henry, a senior staff attorney for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, a legal advocacy group.

For example, Social Security had been denying spousal benefits to same-sex married couples if - at the time they applied for benefits - they were living in a state that did not recognize their marriage. Also, they were denied survivor's benefits if their same-sex spouse died while living in a state that did not recognize their marriage.

Will same-sex spouses who were denied benefits now be able to go back to Social Security and reapply?

Likewise, the Department of Veterans Affairs had been denying spousal benefits if - at the time they applied for benefits - couples were living in a state that did not recognize their marriage.

Will spouses be able to reapply if the VA denied their applications for pensions, home loans, education benefits, medical services, or burial benefits?

Stay tuned, say the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Both agencies said Thursday they were still working to implement the ruling.

"With this terrific statement from the attorney general, the devil is in the details," Henry said. "Marriage benefits are available to same-sex couples nationwide, and that's as it should be. I think that is what the Supreme Court ruling requires. But what does that mean?"

In a statement, Social Security said same-sex couples should apply for benefits right away, if they believe they qualify.

"Applying now will preserve your filing date, which will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits," the agency said.