Thread by @mjs_DC

THREAD: Thousands of gay elders who were unlawfully denied the right to marry are suddenly eligible for millions of dollars (cumulatively) in @SocialSecurity survivor's benefits. This is excellent news.

The problem? Most of them have no idea. (1/8) slate.com/news-and-polit…

Biden's Justice Department recently settled two class action lawsuits brought by surviving partners of same-sex couples who could not marry because of an unconstitutional ban.

The government will now pay out benefits to survivors who would have married but for these bans. (2/8)

As the @nytimes reported, these payouts are substantial. One gay man whose partner died in 2014 received a $90,000 retroactive payment upfront, plus $1,800 monthly checks moving forward. Other gay elders are eligible for more, but do not know it. (3/8)
nytimes.com/2022/01/23/hea…

The government is also paying out benefits to surviving partners of same-sex couples who were not able to marry for nine months (the amount of time typically required to trigger benefits) due to unconstitutional marriage bans. But it doesn't know who most of them are. (4/8)

There are thousands (perhaps tens of thousands) of gay elders who are entitled to survivor's benefits every single month. (The average check is about $1250.) Those who previously applied for these benefits and were denied are also entitled to a large lump sum upfront. (5/8)

This is where you come in.

@LambdaLegal (which litigated these cases) and @SocialSecurity do not know how to identify the many people eligible for this money. They need your help.

Do you know any gay widows/widowers who were denied the right to marry? Reach out to them. (6/8)

Any surviving partner of a same-sex couple denied the right to marry may be entitled to a substantial monthly check. And those who tried and failed to claim these benefits in the past may receive a large upfront payout, too.

I know it might sound like a scam. It isn't! (7/8)

So far, @SocialSecurity has identified just 700 people who qualify. @LambdaLegal says this figure is "the tip of the iceberg."

I encourage you to share this news to help gay elders claim the money that was unlawfully denied to them for far too long. (8/8)
slate.com/news-and-polit…