$12 x 40 = $480

Minimum weekly benefit in 2006 in Michigan $81
Maximum weekly benefit in 2006 in Michigan $362
http://www.nccp.org/profiles/MI_profile_37.html

The guy working at Borders might not be looking for a job, but benefits can't exceed 50% of earnings up to $362. So if he was making $400 a week his unemployment benefits should be $200 a week.

Remember unemployment is a state program, benefits are set by the state.

There might be some people milking the system, but most need this money. The money isn't saved, it's spent quickly by almost all unemployed. And there are five people unemployed for every one job opening. Ask any HR person how many people apply for an open job and don't be surprised if it exceeds 100. My mother works at a company that isn't hiring and they got unsolicited resumes faxed to them almost everyday, my brother works for a school that had one position open, and they got over 60 resumes, most with graduate degrees and one with a Ph.D.