Does severance delay my unemployment claim? - any advice?

My employer is paying severance in instalments and I am not sure whether to file now. It has been weighing on me all week. I also wonder about the job-search requirement. How did your state treat it?

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

I filed on day one anyway and reported the severance honestly. The agency decided what to do about the timing.