Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Helps Litchfield Resident End Two-Year Delay for Same-Sex Spousal Benefit

Esty shares story on her Constituent Corner webpage

LITCHFIELD, CT—Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) today shared a “Constituent Corner” story from Litchfield resident Edward Miller, whom Esty assisted in securing a spousal social security benefit and payment after the death of his husband.

Edward married his partner of 22 years, Sidney Bernard, in November 2008. Sadly, just three months later, Sid lost his battle with colon cancer.

Following the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling striking down major provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Obama Administration retroactively granted the Social Security Administration (SSA) the ability to issue death benefit payments to surviving same-sex spouses.  In 2014, Edward filed with SSA for the death benefit that was originally denied to him in 2009 when Sid passed away.

After two years of trying to connect with the SSA on his own and making no progress, Edward called Esty to ask for her assistance. Esty worked with the SSA to ensure that Edward received the death benefit payment that he was due. Within a few weeks, Edward saw the check deposited into his account.

“I contacted Congresswoman Esty for help with the claim after two years of struggle with the SSA. Rep. Esty treated me with dignity and respect, listened attentively to my situation, and promised to follow up. Within three weeks the situation was resolved, and SSA deposited a check into my account,” Edward said. “I’m certain that without the compassionate help of Congresswoman Esty that I would still be waiting for a telephone call from the SSA, and would most likely never have received payment of the death benefit.”

To honor Sid, Edward established two permanently endowed scholarships in his name, which are awarded each year through the Main Street Community Foundation of Bristol, CT: the Bernard Art Scholarship Fund and the Sid Bernard & Ed Miller Children’s Fund for the Visual Arts. Upon receiving his $255 payment from Social Security, Miller promptly donated the money to the Bernard Art Scholarship Fund.

“Edward and his husband loved each other and deserved the same benefits as any other married couple,” Esty said. “Losing a spouse is devastating, and the last thing Edward needed to deal with on top of it was discrimination because of his sexual orientation. The Social Security payment was long-overdue, and I am pleased we were able to assist Edward in ending this ordeal. ”

“Constituent Corner” highlights stories from folks who have sought assistance with the federal government through Rep. Esty’s office. To see other Constituent Corner stories, visit https://esty.house.gov/index.php/about/constituent-corner.