Severance and unemployment, do they overlap?

I was offered severance of 15 weeks after being let go as a procurement assistant and I am unsure how it affects benefits. I am in Buffalo, in case local advice matters. I also wonder about the job-search requirement.

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

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It saved me later.