Got severance, how does it affect benefits? - what worked for you?

My employer is paying severance in instalments and I am not sure whether to file now. Any experience at all would help. I have a mortgage and need to plan.

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

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