Gov. Linda Lingle hasn't wasted any time tapping into the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law Tuesday by President Obama.

Yesterday, Lingle authorized an additional $25 a week in unemployment benefits per claimant as part of the package.

Lingle signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, making the increase effective Sunday.

The governor's office says the increase in benefits is estimated to add more than $600,000 to Hawaii's economy each week.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 creates a new federally funded program providing the $25 weekly benefit increase through the end of the year.

Governors of each state must authorize the use of the federal funds for their individual states.