In a state with the nation's highest jobless rate, landscaping companies in Michigan are finding some job applicants are rejecting work offers so they can continue collecting unemployment benefits.It is unclear whether this trend is affecting other seasonal industries. But the fact that some seasonal landscaping workers choose to stay home and collect a check from the state, rather than work outside for a full week and spend money for gas, taxes and other expenses, raises questions about whether extended unemployment benefits give the jobless an incentive to avoid work.

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Unemployment Rate Breakdown for April 2010

Adult Men 10.1 %
Adult Women 8.2 %
Teenagers 25.4 %
Whites 9.0 %
Blacks 16.5 %
Hispanics 12.5 %
Asians 6.8 %