Does severance delay my unemployment claim?

I was offered severance of 13 weeks after being let go as a retail manager and I am unsure how it affects benefits. I also wonder about the job-search requirement. 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.