West Virginia isn't suffering the same economic downturn that is crippling other states' unemployment compensation funds, but Gov. Joe Manchin wants to beef up the state's fund.

Manchin has appointed a task force to identify ways to bolster the fund.

Unemployment Compensation Division director Michael Moore says the fund had $256 million at the end of August.

But unemployment claims are an estimated $155 million this year, compared to $134 million last year. Income to pay those claims has remained flat at between $130 million and $140 million for several years.

Workforce West Virginia executive director Ron Radcliff will lead the task force. Radcliff says he expects to deliver some preliminary recommendations to the governor within a few weeks.