With nearly one million Floridians out of work, the state’s ability to pay unemployment claims is wearing thin.

There is $534 million in the unemployment compensation fund, but the state is paying out $65 million a week, according to the Capitol News Service.

Fifteen other states are already receiving money from the Federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. The money is interest-free till January of 2011.

By August, the unemployment compensation fund will run dry and the state will have to borrow money from the federal government to pay claims.

Uncle Sam isn’t the only one coming to the rescue. Florida businesses will also pay higher taxes to help replenish the fund. The Florida Chamber of Commerce supports the tax increase because it puts money into the hands of consumers.

“The good news here is that for every one dollar in unemployment compensation benefits paid out to Floridians, 1.64 comes back to our state’s economy," said Dan Krassner with the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "So we’re going to see small businesses benefit from claims that are paid out.”

The state’s ability to pay claims could have been strengthened during session. Lawmakers left nearly half a million federal stimulus dollars on the table that could have been used to pay unemployment claims, according to the news service.

House Democrats are furious legislative leaders didn’t take the money.

“There was no reason to leave 400 million dollars on the table," House Dem. Marty Kiar said. "There is no reason to allow the unemployment funds to just evaporate and run out. That’s wrong. That’s immoral. That’s disgraceful.”

Lawmakers turned down the free federal dollars, and the state will borrow the money and pay it back.