Are civil unions recognized for veterans' benefits?

In California, veterans’ benefits are not granted to civil unions. Although California recognizes civil unions and grants many of the same rights and privileges of marriage to couples in civil unions, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) currently does not recognize civil unions. This means that veterans in civil unions are not eligible to receive VA benefits, like survivor’s benefits, health insurance, and pensions. The VA has stated that it is bound by the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman. Therefore, the VA is barred from recognizing any union between couples of the same gender, even if they are legally married in a state or territory that recognizes same-sex marriage or civil unions. Despite this, veterans in California can still receive some benefits if they are in a civil union if the veteran meets certain requirements and is eligible for specific benefits. These include VA home loan guaranties, educational programs, vocational and rehabilitation programs, health care, insurance for service-people and their families, burial benefits, and survivor benefits. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not a civil union is recognized for veterans’ benefits in California is up to the VA, and until the DOMA is repealed or amended, any change in the policy is unlikely to happen.

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Are civil unions recognized for veterans' benefits?

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