We Serve the LGBT Community with Pride
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: June 9, 2016
June is LGBT Pride Month, a time to celebrate the fight for dignity and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the United States.
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court issued a decision that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. This victory made it possible for more same-sex couples to benefit from Social Security services and programs.
On June 1, 2009, President Barack Obama proclaimed June as LGBT Pride Month to honor the history of gay rights and the ongoing movement toward full equality. On the date of the proclamation, the president said, “LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society.”
Forty years before President Obama’s proclamation, in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, employees, patrons, and supporters took a stand against the harassment of gay and lesbian community members. This uprising became the catalyst for the grassroots movement to oppose discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans. Equality remains the primary focus of LGBT advocates and community members.
Social Security is committed to treating all Americans with respect and equity. We’re always looking for ways to improve communication about all of Social Security’s programs to same-sex couples. If you have any questions about Social Security benefits for same-sex couples, please visit a section of our website dedicated to them.
If you are a spouse, divorced spouse, or surviving spouse of a same-sex marriage or non-marital legal same-sex relationship, you may be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits. Please don’t wait. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov and apply right away. Applying now will preserve your filing date, which will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits.
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Tags: LGBT, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Andrew
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http://www.artinheart.org/bored/discussion/68766/writing-on-pest-controller
tammy
What dignity and equality? The following is a word of advice to everyone counting on Socialsit Security benefits- no matter what your sexual orientation is.
From above; On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court issued a decision that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states. This victory made it possible for more same-sex couples to benefit from Social Security services and programs.
What this blog and countless websites FAIL to mention, is that if you get “married”, the Socialist Security system will use “marriage” as an excuse to cut your benefits off, or deny benefits all together. Even if you are disabled (like me) the Socialist Security system will deny you benefits, because of special “rules” they have on the books. These “Rules” have been put in place to help the Socialsit Security system, justify their actions of discriminating against married people (of any sexual orientation).
Even if you are legitimately 100 percent physically disabled, The Socialsit Security administration does NOT CARE! ” The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
The Socialist Security System may find that one is completely and totally disabled, but as soon as you marry an “able bodied person”, somehow they miraculously cure you, of your disability.
All of a sudden, you are not physically disabled anymore and NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY BENEFITS from these socialist. HOW DOES BEING MARRIED MAKE SOMEONE ANY LESS DISABLED?
answer- IT DOES NOT. it’s just an idiotic rule that some bureaucrat (who has a personal hatrid of marriage and married people) came up with, to legitimize their prejudice and discriminatory practices
R.F.
Thank you for your comments Tammy. We acknowledge your frustration and want to help. Under current law, we are able to pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program or SSDI and the Supplemental Security Income or SSI program. SSDI benefits are based on the individual’s earning from a job and his or her contributions to the Social Security program. A “Disabled Adult Child” can qualify for benefits under the SSDI program, if the mother or father is receiving Social Security benefits or is deceased. However, federal law requires that the “disabled adult child” must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22.
The SSI program in the other hand is a needs based program that can also pay benefits to individuals that are disabled, age 65 or older and have limited income and resources. We must also take into consideration the income and resources available for the “disabled adult child” and this includes the income and resources of his or her spouse.
tammy
Hello, thanks for the reply and justification of my continuous postings. The key term in the statement you posted above says “A “Disabled Adult Child” can qualify for benefits under the SSDI program, if the mother or father is receiving Social Security benefits or is deceased. However, federal law requires that the “disabled adult child” must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22”.
My issue is the discriminatory federal law that requires the “Disabled adult child” be unmarried…. WHY? How does being married make me any less disabled? How can marriage, somehow cure my disability?
This is why I feel discriminated against and continue to post the absolute truth, on your blogs.
This “Federal Law” is nothing more than justification for taking a particular group of people (adult disabled children who marry an able bodied person) and discriminating against them.
John R.
First, I do not hate people because they have views opposed to mine, but I do resent my tax dollars being spent to promote a lifestyle with which I disagree. The Constitution does not provide for, nor did the founders envision, taking away the rights of one citizen in order to promote a choice made by another citizen.
LauraKQ
Exactly John! This article was about how the rights of those in the LGBT community to fair and equal treatment under the law will no longer be TAKEN AWAY in order to promote the lifestyle choices made by some in the “Christian” community. Equal rights for LGBT citizens does not equal special rights or privileges. Nothing is being taken away from you or anyone else.
Don R.
Yeah! way to go slim jim for creating all this chaos! I cannot believe that you’re even having a Blog on this! You start the fire and then you tell everyone to be respectful! How stupid you are!
Vern S.
Thanks for being progressive and open minded enough to include everyone regardless of sexual identity or orientation as human beings that deserve the same level of service from Social Security as everyone else does, despite the ignorance and hatefulness of many of the commenters.
Don R.
Since When, Vern, did you NOT get it I did not get EQUAL treatment AT THE SSA????
Lin
Great job! Awesome! Terrific! Outstanding! Excellent! Thanks Jim Borland–Passed it along. There are more people with you than you realize!
Don R.
Yeah! way to go slim jim for creating all this chaos! I cannot believe that you’re even having a Blog on this! You start the fire and then you tell everyone to be respectful! How stupid you are!
John G.
SSA Sick States of America
Thomas K.
If you feel that way move to Russia
Donna
The blog – Social Security Matters – should not be wasting taxpayer money on a variety of topics other than programs, online services. Leave current events, and human-interest stories for other other social media platforms that are not paid for by taxpayers and that can and should be sought rather than forced in our faces with this blog.
LauraKQ
Dear Donna I don’t understand. Exactly who is it that has “forced” you to read this blog? If you don’t want to read it, turn the page sister, & get on with your day. I’m sure the Social Security Administration won’t hold it against you.
Elizabeth
How about a blog celebrating that you serve EVERYONE with pride. So desperate and pathetic. Nothing but an attempt to polarize the masses that you’re supposed to serve without bias! Do your job and quit trying to push your social agenda!
Don R.
Tell him Elizabeth!!!!!
Chris
These comments reflect exactly what is wrong in America and the world today. If someone is different than you they must be evil, hateful, intolerant…… etc etc etc. I knew what would be written here as soon as I saw the title. Sighhhhhh I agree with you Daryl and to the rest of you try and step away from the keyboard and try to have a nice day. Life is too short to keep your panties in a wad….besides you’ll just end up with a wedgie!