Impact of the Supreme Court’s Windsor Decision on ACL

Question: What is the impact of the Supreme Court’s Windsor decision regarding same sex marriage on people participating in programs administered by the Administration for Community Living?

Answer: We are pleased to report that in May 2014, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, issued guidance applicable to all ACL grantees concerning the federal government’s policy on same-sex marriages. ACL will now to treat same-sex marriages the same as opposite sex marriages to the “extent reasonably possible.” Important to note is that ACL will recognize a legal marriage, regardless of whether the individuals are domiciled or reside in a state or territory that does not recognize the marriage. This was motivated by the Supreme Court Decision in United States v. Windsor. The ACL’s full Windsor-related guidance is available at: http://www.acl.gov/Funding_Opportunities/Grantee_Info/docs/Community_Living_Guidance.pdf