STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN LGBT FAMILIES January 2012 Authors In Partnership With A Companion Report to “All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families.” Both reports are co-authored by the Movement Advancement Project, the Family Equality Council, and the Center for American Progress. This report was authored by: This report was developed in partnership with: 2 Movement Advancement Project National Association of Social Workers The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and membership organization of professional social workers in analysis that help speed equality for LGBT people. MAP works the world, with 145,000 members. NASW works to enhance collaboratively with LGBT organizations, advocates and the professional growth and development of its members, to funders, providing information, analysis and resources that create and maintain professional standards, and to advance help coordinate and strengthen their efforts for maximum sound social policies. The primary mission of the social work impact. MAP also conducts policy research to inform the profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the public and policymakers about the legal and policy needs of basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to LGBT people and their families. For more information, visit the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, www.lgbtmap.org. oppressed, and living in poverty. For more information, visit www.socialworkers.org. Family Equality Council Family Equality Council works to ensure equality for LGBT families by building community, changing public opinion, Acknowledgments advocating for sound policy and advancing social justice for all families. Family Equality Council provides support and MAP thanks the following funders, without whom this resources to LGBT-headed families, and leverages the power report would not have been possible. of families by sharing their stories and driving change in communities and states across the nation. Family Equality • Arcus Foundation Council educates members of government, schools, faith- • David Bohnett Foundation based communities, healthcare institutions and other social • David Dechman systems about how they can promote family equality. Family • David Geffen Foundation Equality Council also partners with other LGBT and broader social justice organizations to provide the greatest positive • Gill Foundation impact and to maximize resources. For more information, visit • Jim Hormel www.familyequality.org. • Johnson Family Foundation • Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Center for American Progress • Weston Milliken The Center for American Progress (CAP) is a think tank • Kevin J. Mossier Foundation dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through ideas • The Palette Fund and action. CAP combines bold policy ideas with a modern • Mona Pittenger communications platform to help shape the national debate. CAP is designed to provide long-term leadership and support • Two Sisters and a Wife Foundation to the progressive movement. CAP’s policy experts cover a • H. van Ameringen Foundation wide range of issue areas, and often work across disciplines to tackle complex, interrelated issues such as national security, MAP also thanks the many families who shared their energy, and climate change. For more information, visit stories with us. www.americanprogress.org. Note About this Companion Report This report is a companion report to “All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families,” which is available online through www.lgbtmap.org/lgbt-families or through any of the co-author websites. We suggest the following citation for this condensed report: Movement Advancement Project, Family Equality Council and Center for American Progress, “Strengthening Economic Security for Children Living in LGBT Families,” January 2012. This report incorporates information that was current as of December 1, 2011. Contact Information Movement Advancement Project Family Equality Council Center for American Progress 2215 Market Street P.O. Box 206 1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor Denver, CO 80205 Boston, MA 02133 Washington, DC 20005 720-274-3263 617-502-8700 202-682-1611 www.lgbtmap.org www.familyequality.org www.americanprogress.org TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................1 LGBT Families are Part of the American Fabric ...................................................................................................... 1 Geographically Diverse ..........................................................................................................................................................2 Racially and Ethnically Diverse ...........................................................................................................................................2 Lower Income, Higher Poverty ............................................................................................................................................2 LACK OF LEGAL RECOGNITION FOR LGBT FAMILIES ....................................................................4 The Paths to Parenthood for LGBT Families ........................................................................................................... 4 Foster & Adoptive Families ....................................................................................................................................................4 Blended Families & Stepfamilies .........................................................................................................................................5 Assisted Reproduction & Surrogacy ..................................................................................................................................5 How Lack of Legal Recognition Harms Children .................................................................................................. 6 SOCIAL BURDENS AND ECONOMIC COSTS FOR LGBT FAMILIES .................................................7 LGBT Families and the Price of Protecting Children ............................................................................................ 7 Legal Fees Put Protection Out of Reach ...........................................................................................................................8 Extra Tax Burdens ......................................................................................................................................................................9 Options for Welcoming Schools are Limited ..................................................................................................................9 Health Insurance – Buy Privately or Do Without ...........................................................................................................10 How Social and Economic Burdens Harm Children ............................................................................................. 11 NOWHERE TO TURN FOR STRUGGLING LGBT FAMILIES ...............................................................11 Broken Lifelines When an LGBT Parent Becomes Disabled or Dies ................................................................ 12 Children Barred from Receiving Social Security Survivors and Disability Insurance Benefits .....................12 Children Not Entitled to Inheritance and Other Property .........................................................................................13 Surviving Family Members Cannot Sue for Wrongful Death ....................................................................................13 The Frayed Safety Net for Needy LGBT Families ................................................................................................... 14 Programs Fall Short of Providing Economic Security for Children ..........................................................................14 How Means-Tested Safety Net Programs Treat LGBT Families Differently ............................................................16 Eligibility Is Uncertain for Most LGBT Families ...............................................................................................................18 Once Enrolled, LGBT Families Still Face Undue Unique Challenges .......................................................................20 LGBT Families May Qualify But Not Apply .......................................................................................................................22 How Lack of Access to Governmental Protections Harms Children ............................................................... 23 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................23 All Children Matter: Bridging Policy and Practice ................................................................................................ 24 Broad Federal & State Policy Recommendations to Support LGBT Families .......................................................24 Policy Recommendations for Government Lifeline and Safety Net Programs for LGBT Families ................25 Recommendations for Community-Based Organizations, Advocates and Funders ........................................26 END NOTES AND REFERENCES ........................................................................................................28