"This means that for a couple that marries in one state where same-sex marriage is recognized and then moves to another state where it is not, the protection that Social Security spousal benefits provides to families is unavailable," says the budget proposal, which was released Monday. "Under this proposal, such married couples would have access to these benefits."

The new budget proposal from the White House extends Social Security benefits to partners in same-sex marriages, regardless of whether the state they reside in recognizes their marriage.The Social Security Administration has denied benefits to the surviving spouse, saying that they are bound by the laws in the states where the would-be beneficiaries reside. President Obama's budget proposal would help close the gap for these couples, though ultimately the strongest federal protection for them would be a Supreme Court recognition of marriage equality.