New Jersey now will get additional help from the federal government as it copes with the coronavirus.

President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for the state on Thursday, making it eligible for special funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will help pay for expanded unemployment insurance, child care and supplemental nutrition and assistance programs, according to the state’s congressional delegation.

“I’m glad to see the administration listened to our request and we’ll see more help coming our way," said Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist. “New Jersey has become one of the focal points of this disaster.”

Gov. Phil Murphy sought the declaration as the number of coronoavirus cases in the state keeps climbing. New Jersey has more than 4,400 cases, second only to neighboring New York. The number of coronavirus deaths rose to 62.

“With our major disaster declaration approved, New Jersey will now have access to greater essential federal support to help our residents through this emergency,” Murphy said. “This declaration will allow us to lift remaining bureaucratic barriers to assistance and enhance our statewide response to COVID-19.”

Murphy said the money also will help fund emergency work and the repair or replace disaster-damaged facilities.

The state also has a Small Business Administration emergency declaration that makes small businesses in New Jersey hurt by the coronavirus eligible for low-interest federal loans of up to $2 million.

Trump’s earlier declaration of a national emergency freed up $50 billion in federal funds for New Jersey and other states.

And the $2 trillion stimulus package that passed the Senate Wednesday includes $150 billion for state and local governments.

NJ Advance Media Trenton Bureau staff writer Matt Arco contributed to this report.

Sign up for text message alerts from NJ.com on coronavirus in New Jersey:





If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook.

Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.