Severance and unemployment, do they overlap? - any advice?

I was offered severance of 5 weeks after being let go as a home health aide and I am unsure how it affects benefits. I also wonder about the job-search requirement. How did your state treat it?

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

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