Justice Department OKs Benefits for Lesbian Couple's Child

On June 9, 2008, U.S. Department of Justice released a 2007 opinion from the Office of Legal Council (OLC) that stated that the federal government will not recognize same-sex couples but can pay benefits to their children.According to the opinion, federal law does not prohibit the Social Security Administration from paying insurance benefits to the nonbiological child of a partner in a Vermont civil union. The decision is notable because the Defense of Marriage Act bars the government from extending federal benefits to gay and lesbian couples.