Severance and unemployment, do they overlap? - 9 months and counting

My employer is paying severance in instalments and I am not sure whether to file now. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. The agreement mentions a release and a payment schedule. Who should I ask before signing?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.

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