Is a civil union recognized in federal employment benefits?

In Washington State, civil unions are not recognized in federal employment benefits. This is because the State of Washington does not recognize any sort of same-sex marriage or civil union. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 prohibits any federal government agency, including the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from recognizing or granting benefits to any same-sex couple. This means that even if a same-sex couple enters into a civil union in Washington, they will not receive any of the benefits or protections that come with marriage recognized by the federal government. This law also applies to any federal employee in Washington. Federal employees living in Washington who are party to a civil union are not eligible for federal employment benefits, such as health insurance, retirement, or family leave benefits. The same applies to federal contractors in the state. Civil union laws vary from state to state, so it is important to understand the laws in the particular state in which one lives. In Washington, civil unions are not legally recognized, and they do not grant any federal benefits.

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Is a civil union recognized in federal employment benefits?

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