Same-sex military couples to benefit from court ruling

Same-sex military couples to benefit from court ruling
KDH News
Brandon Janes
Herald staff writer
Posted on June 30, 2013

Less than two years since soldiers at Fort Hood were prohibited from being openly gay, same-sex married couples in the Army now have more rights than other same-sex Texas couples.

After the Supreme Court’s rejection of the Defense of Marriage Act last week, all military spouses will now receive full military benefits, regardless of their sexual orientation, the Pentagon said.

Many federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, look at where you live before issuing marriage benefits — such as filing joint tax returns.

The Department of Defense, however, looks at where you were married to decide what benefits you receive.

Same-sex military couples who were married in one of the 13 states that issue same-sex marriage licenses will now receive their federal benefits regardless of the state or country where they live.
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