Does severance delay my unemployment claim?

I was offered severance of 15 weeks after being let go as a copywriter and I am unsure how it affects benefits. There are 15 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. The agreement mentions a release and a payment schedule. Who should I ask before signing?

Before signing, I asked a friend who is a lawyer to look at the agreement. It was a short conversation and worth it.

Rules differ by state. I called the claims line and asked directly, then wrote down the answer and the date.