Something is better than nothing.

That shopworn adage might easily apply to very recent developments in the case of Michigan residents compensated by the state for being wrongfully accused of fraud related to unemployments.

This was an ugly situation that was 100 percent the fault of the state.

According to an Associated Press account, an automated computer system used during the administration of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder was a disaster. People were accused of cheating to get jobless aid.

AP stated they were forced to repay money, along with substantial penalties, before the Unemployment Insurance Agency finally acknowledged widespread errors that affected more than 40,000 people.

Some victims had to hire lawyers. Others filed for bankruptcy, lost wages, suffered poor credit ratings or had trouble finding a job and housing.

Now, the state is coughing up $20 million to make all of this go away. But if that’s the amount that’s going to be divided by 40,000 victims, that doesn’t add up to very much, especially when considering what many people went through.

AP reported that Attorney General Dana Nessel said it was time to close the case.

“This settlement honors my commitment to ensure those falsely accused by their government receive fair compensation for their suffering,î Nessel said.

We guess it depends on how one defines fair.

Bottom line from where we sit: State government was dirty on this, top to bottom. The sum appropriated — $20 million — is a pittance when compared to the amount of hell people had to go through.

Truth be told, we’re surprised the usually sensitive and very bright attorney general is giving all of the above such a resounding endorsement, or so it would seem.

We hope the state finds a way to bump up the compensation as a way to help make these victims of government incompetence whole.