Severance and unemployment, do they overlap? after 8 years as a retail manager

I was offered severance of 8 weeks after being let go as a retail manager and I am unsure how it affects benefits. I have been trying to stay organised about it. I also wonder about the job-search requirement. Who should I ask before signing?

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