Severance and unemployment, do they overlap? - first time posting

I was offered severance of 17 weeks after being let go as an accounts payable clerk and I am unsure how it affects benefits. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. The agreement mentions a release and a payment schedule. How did your state treat it?

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