The U.S. Treasury Department released its federal budget data on Wednesday. The budget deficit increased to $149.2 billion in July, down from a deficit of $94.6 billion in July 2014.

The budget deficit rose as the U.S. government paid out $42 billion in August benefits in July.

In the first 10 months of the fiscal year 2015, which ends at September this year, the budget deficit totalled $465.5 billion, 1.1% higher than a year ago.