originally posted in:Secular Sevens
How significant are federal benefits compared to state benefits? Is it still a major disadvantage to be unrecognized in the state one is living in?
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Edited by Ryan: 8/30/2013 10:33:50 AM[quote] There are 1,138 benefits, rights and protections provided on the basis of marital status in Federal law. [1] Because the Defense of Marriage Act defines "marriage" as only a legal union between one man and one woman, same-sex couples - even if legally married in their state - will not be considered spouses for purposes of federal law. (Note: DOMA has been repealed so now married same-sex couples are eligible for these benefits)[/quote] I am pretty sure that the federal benefits for marriage are more significant than the state's benefits, but it's still annoying that you have to get married in another state to receive those benefits in a state that doesn't recognize same-sex marriage. Although I am not entirely familiar with the state's benefits of marriage but it likely varies by state.