As for severance payments, it may vary state by state. I’ve been able to collect unemployment in NY right after receiving a severance package. Of course both of the severance packages I received were lump sums, not given over time like paychecks. Maybe that’s a factor. Regardless, people should try to get every penny they can.

I wonder if the numbers in your previous post reflect those who are unemployed due to firings instead of lay offs, cause that’s a whole other area that doesn’t necessarily get reported.

When someone is terminated, the cause of termination can affect one’s collection of unemployment. If the termination was the employee’s fault and it’s provable, then they may not be eligible for benefits since it was their fault for being terminated. If, as you mentioned, the company you are no longer with is run by a Hitler-esque vindictive jerk and tries to deny your claim, you may have to prove in a ‘court’ case (by phone or in person) that your claim is justified. In this case, it is the burden of the employer to prove why you should not be receiving benefits- by default, the state says you should get them unless you f’d up. Since your employer is already established himself as a moron, his proving his case is probably impossible or highly unlikely, so if you are in this situation, don’t be timid, fight the power!

Also, regarding severance payments: The amount of severance and the justification of the amount impact when your benefits may begin. There is no point in waiting to file for unemployment insurance, they will just politely let you know when your benefits may begin- which they will calculate from when they think your severance will run out. (Note here, that they will expect that money to last way longer than reality, since in unemployment world, $1,000 a month is the average income for Americans…) It at least will give you some nice anticipation of income should your job search take as long as things are going these days.