I was terminated from my job when my position was eliminated. My employer offered me a severance package which provides for 3 additional payments over the next 2 months. Is this money considered payment for work and thus reportable as wages earned for unemployment purposes?

If you fail to report this you will find yourself losing your UI and being forced to repay it. Yes report it

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Would severance pay not be considered pay for the time I was employed, since I haven't worked since termination? The question on the unemployment form asks for earnings from working. I haven't worked, so I have no earnings from work after my termination date.

Listen closely. UI is for unemployed persons with no income for self support. Severence is income! If you fail to report this and your former employer mentions it you have committed purgery

__________________
Your best advice legal advice does not come from internet message boards, Police, friends, family, your neighbors etc.It comes from an Attorney. Advice given here should not replace legal advice from a qualified Attorney.
Non legal parenting and relationship issues http://www.parentnook.com/forum/

Have you browsed through the information in LawInfo's Free Legal Resource Center to learn more about your issue yet? See: http://www.lawinfo.com/consumer.html. You can certainly try to speak to a lawyer to determine what legal options may be available. In the meantime, you may be able to learn more on your own. Search the "Free Legal Resources" tab, or browse the Consumer Resources. Good luck.

See also: http://resources.lawinfo.com/Search....teName:Florida

I found information for the state of Michigan. Apparently this varies by state. Does anyone from Florida have a comment on it?

I called them because I had questions about severance myself, and this is considered "severance in lue" You will NOT be eligible for unemployment. If you received a 1 time lump sum severance, you would NOT be required to report it and WOULD qualify for unemployment. Looks like your company did their homework because it cheaper to pay you for a few months rather than pay unemployment for possibly longer...