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Married same-sex couples in U.S. to be eligible for federal benefits

Federal marriage benefits will be made available to same-sex couples across the United States after last month's Supreme Court ruling, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Thursday.

Programs for veterans, elderly, disabled will also cover same-sex couples

Attorney General Loretta Lynch, seen on June 18, released a statement Thursday regarding federal benefits for same-sex couples. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/The Associated Press)

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the government will make federal marriage benefits available to same-sex couples following a landmark Supreme Court decision last month that legalized same-sex marriage.

She says the Justice Department will work to make sure that all federal benefits will be available equally to married couples across the country.

She says programs for veterans and the elderly and disabled will now cover same-sex marriages.

The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision last month that the Constitution provides a right to same-sex marriage.

In a statement, Lynch said the government would strive to "fulfil our commitment to equal treatment for all Americans."