Domestic Partnership Benefits

In Washington DC , all registered couples as domestic partners are entitled to the same rights as legal family members to visit their domestic partners in hospital and make decisions concerning the treatment of a domestic partner’s remains after the partner’s death. Washington, D.C. has recognized civil unions since 2002.

Contact Lynn Andretta to discuss your legal options and find solutions for any Domestic Partnership and related legal situations in Washington DC area.

Domestic partners are eligible for health care insurance policy, can use annual leave or unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a dependent child and/or care for their domestic partner or their dependents, and/or arrange for or attend the funeral. The measure also grants rights to a number of benefits to District of Columbia government employees.

What proof of mutual residence (living together) is required?

Submitting one (1) of the following documents may satisfy proof of mutual residence:

• Current residential lease or rental agreement naming both applicants as occupants
• Current residential mortgage that names both applicants as mortgagors
• Deed for residential property stating that both applicants share title to the premises
• Current residential property utility bills naming both partners as responsible for payment
• An affidavit executed within the previous 6 months, in which both parties state, under penalty of perjury, that they both share the same residence

Read More: FAQ's DC Domestic Partnership Laws

Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2003: R. 2426 would provide fringe benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. Same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partners of federal employees would be entitled to the same benefits available to spouses of federal employees. Those benefits would include survivor annuities, health insurance, life insurance, and compensation for work-related injuries. Additionally, H.R. 2426 would amend the Internal Revenue Code by exempting domestic partner benefits from federal income taxes.

CBO estimates that enacting the bill would increase direct spending by $137 million over the 2004-2008 period and by $242 million over the next 10 years. Discretionary spending under the bill would increase by $525 million over the 2004-2008 period and by about $1.3 billion over the next 10 years, assuming appropriation of the necessary funds. The bill would also affect federal revenues; those effects would have to be estimated by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT).

H.R. 2426, as introduced, would extend benefits to domestic partners of active federal employees and of current and prospective retirees. At the request of the sponsor, this estimate excludes the costs of extending such benefits to domestic partners of currently retired federal employees. (Including benefits for the domestic partners of currently retired federal employees would increase direct spending by an additional $448 million over the 2004-2008 period and $1.4 billion over the 2004-2013 period; it would not result in additional discretionary costs).

Contact Lynn Andretta to discuss your legal options and find solutions for any Domestic Partnership and related legal situations in Washington DC area.

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