Gov. Andy Beshear announced he’s directing an additional $38.7 million in pandemic-related aid to Kentucky’s two largest cities to help people struggling to pay rent and utilities.

Beshear on Tuesday presented Lexington’s mayor with an $11.7 million check and Louisville’s mayor with a $27 million check to aid the cities’ programs. He’s using federal funds from the state’s program.

The federal funding formula gave Louisville and Lexington fewer funds than anticipated, Beshear said. The two cities have their own eviction relief programs.

The governor had granted each mayor’s request to allocate additional funds to keep their local programs going. It will help people who continue to struggle because of the pandemic, Beshear said.

Meanwhile, the state received an allocation of $264 million in federal funds for the emergency rental assistance program. Beshear on Tuesday urged eligible tenants and landlords across Kentucky to apply for the remaining $55.9 million available for rent and utility assistance.