Attorney General Loretta Lynch: Federal Benefits Now Available For Same-Sex Couples

Federal marriage benefits are now officially available to same-sex couples nationwide, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Thursday. Lynch said she had directed the Justice Department to make same-sex couples eligible for the benefits when the Supreme Court ruled June 26 that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, but expansion of the benefits required a few weeks to implement. The federal marriage benefits for which same-sex couples are now eligible include Social Security benefits, veterans benefits and Supplemental Security Income.