Mistakes happen, but the computer snafu that led thousands of jobless Bay Staters to believe their unemployment benefits had been extended is particularly heartbreaking. Yes, Massachusetts offers more generous benefits than most states - but asking folks who have been unemployed so long that they’ve exhausted their benefits to come up with the cash is, well, pointless.

The checks were sent to 4,159 out-of-work residents and totaled $3.4 million, but that doesn’t account for the relief felt by those who thought the spigot had been reopened. The Patrick administration ought to absorb the hit (the feds are actually funding these payments) and concentrate on making sure that it doesn’t happen again.