Federal benefits for married same-sex couples to be available nationwide

WASHINGTON, July 9 (UPI) -- Federal benefits for married same-sex couples will be available nationwide beginning on Thursday with benefits from Social Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch made the announcement less than three weeks after the Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage.

In the case Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court on June 26 ruled 5-4 that states are constitutionally compelled to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

"Following the Supreme Court's historic decision in Obergefell that every couple has the same right to participate in the institution of marriage... I directed Justice Department staff to work with the agencies to ensure that the ruling be given full effect across the federal government," Lynch said in a statement.

Justices had to determine if the Fourteenth Amendment required states to license marriages for same-sex couples and if the amendment requires states to recognize marriages between same-sex couples who were married lawfully in another state.

"Today I am proud to announce that the critical programs for veterans and elderly and disabled Americans, which previously could not give effect to the marriages of couples living in states that did not recognize those marriages, will now provide federal recognition for all marriages nationwide," Lynch added.

Benefits include the ability to receive Supplemental Security Income, compensation for spouses and families of a military servicemember who died while in the line of duty, according to USA Today. Spousal benefits for retirement and disability funds are also included.