In the face of federal cuts, Pennsylvania is boosting the amount it spends on disaster aid and recovery.

State spending to help state agencies respond to disasters doubled to $40 million from $20 million in the state budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26, the Shapiro administration said.

The governor can transfer up to $40 million in unused funds annually to state agencies for disaster relief during a disaster emergency, according to a budget provision.

The budget provides $5 million for the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program established in 2023. The program awards state grants to homeowners and renters who meet lower-income standards for help in emergencies that aren’t federally declared disasters.

The budget provides $15.5 million for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), a $715,000 or 4.8% increase.

The Office of State Fire commissioner receives $4.8 million, a 3.3% increase.

Shapiro officials said the funding increases will help offset cuts in federal disaster aid. This will ensure rapid response by state agencies when disaster happens, they added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing to lay off 1,000 contract workers who are part of on-call response teams, The New York Times reported this week.

FEMA launched staff cuts last year after the Trump Administration discussed shifting more responsibility for disaster response to the states.

At an event in Somerset County last month, PEMA officials said the state grant program has distributed $153,000 to help 27 households rebuild from floods in May.

The program has distributed more than $450,000 in grants since 2023 with victims of fires in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh also being recipients.