On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Congress does not have to provide federal disability benefits to Puerto Rican residents.

Court ruled that, because Congress treated Puerto Rico residents differently than those who reside in other states, the court can make the same decision when it concerns the Supplemental Income security, or SSI benefits program.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor was one of three judges who are liberals and whose family comes from Puerto Rico. She voted no.

SSI benefits provide financial aid to elderly and disabled people. This program is only available for residents of the 50 U.S. States, not those who reside in certain territories.

Before the court, the question was whether or not the Due Process clause in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution mandated Congress to provide SSI benefits for Puerto Rico.

An appeals court lower had ruled that exclusion of SSI benefits for the territory was not constitutional. Last year, Department of Justice submitted to the Supreme Court that appellate ruling should be reversed.

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