Same-sex couples who are legally married now qualify for the same benefits as their heterosexual civilian and military colleagues, the Defense Department announced Aug. 14. Thus, they could collect basic housing and family-separation allowances, enroll for health care coverage under TRICARE and reap the benefits of other entitlements, retroactively to June 26. On that date, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, which had blocked federal recognition of gay marriage. The Defense Department implemented the changes after reviewing details of the high court’s ruling. To qualify, couples must produce a valid marriage license.
