SAUSALITO, CA (ASRN.ORG) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's state isn't the only one with labor pains. Michigan, for example, faces the longest ongoing stretch of double-digit unemployment in America. And the state's governor, Rick Snyde, has just signed a bill into law that slashes the total number of weeks the jobless can collect unemployment benefits from 26 to 20.

Since nearly every state has long offered 26 weeks of coverage, the move makes Michigan one of America's stingiest states when it comes to helping the unemployed. But when you look at the whole picture -- including the amount of money recipients are eligible for, which varies widely by state -- it isn't actually the stingiest. Several states offer far less to recipients than the $362 per week maximum that Michigan offers its laid-off workers. (Thus, an unemployed worker in Michigan receiving the top amount can collect a total of $7,240 over the 20 weeks of coverage that the state guarantees.)

Here, then, is a list of the five least generous states in America when it comes to aiding the jobless:

1. Mississippi

Unemployment rate: 10.2 percent (42nd)

Maximum weekly benefit: $235

No. of weeks state pays for: 26

Total possible compensation: $6,110

 

2. Arizona

Unemployment rate: 9.6 percent (38th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $240

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $6,240

 

3. Louisiana

Unemployment rate: 7.9 (20th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $247

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $6,422

 

4. Alabama

Unemployment rate: 9.3 percent (33rd)

Maximum weekly benefit: $265

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $6,890

 

5. Tennessee (tie)

Unemployment rate: 9.6 percent (38th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $275

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $7,150

 

5. Florida (tie)

Unemployment rate: 11.5 percent (49th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $275

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $7,150

 

Meanwhile, the top five states for unemployment benefits are:

 

1. Massachusetts

Unemployment rate: 8.2 percent (22nd )

Maximum weekly benefit: $625

No. of weeks state pays for: 26

Total possible compensation: $16,250

 

2. New Jersey

Unemployment rate: 9.2 percent (32nd)

Maximum weekly benefit: $598

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $15,548

 

3. Minnesota

Unemployment rate: 6.7 percent (11th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $578

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $15,028

 

4. Pennsylvania

Unemployment rate: 8.0 percent (20th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $573

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $14,898

 

5. Washington

Unemployment rate: 9.1 (30th)

Maximum weekly benefit: $570

No. of weeks: 26

Total: $14,820


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