Biden Boosts Federal Funding for Florida Building Collapse Disaster Aid

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden has expanded federal government emergency assistance to the state of Florida to finance increased protective measures following the Surfside building collapse, in which over 160 people are believed to have died, the White House announced on Friday.

"Today, President Joseph Biden made additional assistance available to the State of Florida by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures undertaken in the State of Florida as a result of the Surfside Building Collapse," the White House said in a statement.

Under the emergency declaration issued on June 25, federal aid was made available for the Individuals and Households Program under the Stafford Act, while assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, was set at 75 percent of costs, the statement noted.

"Under the President's order today, the federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs," the statement said.

The funding will continue until July 24, the statement noted.