Gay and Lesbian federal workers can begin applying for same-sex benefits in July. The Office of Personal Management said that President Obama signed a memo that extends some benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

 Benefits will now be offered to same-sex domestic partners of eligible federal workers, U.S. Postal workers and federal retirees. The Office of Personal Management will not extend access to opposite-sex domestic partners, because they can obtain the insurance through marriage, “an option not currently available to same-sex domestic partners,” the agency wrote in Tuesday’s Federal Register.

 All same-sex couples must still apply but will not be asked to submit formal documentation of their domestic partnership. Same-sex partners will be asked the same set of health questions as married couples and no one is automatically guaranteed coverage.