Do you need proof of being laid off from your company to apply for unemployment? Do you have to wait to get severance pay before you can apply for unemployment?

Your severance pay has nothing to do with the facts if you qualify for unemployment benefits at all. First get your severance pay and then file for your unemployment benefits. It's the way I did it and had no problems at all. You don't need proof of being laid off because unemployment office will contact your last employer and get all the facts of why you was laid off or terminated. The information they give on your behalf will determine whether you qualify for benefits or not. If you are denied, you can still try and call for a hearing and that's your last chance to qualify for unemployment benefits. Good luck, God bless and not the best way to start the New Year but things will get better just have faith.

If you receive severance pay you might not receive unemployment at all. But if you are an employee and have been laid off you still have to register just to allow the city and state to know that you are not working anymore

No. They can see the records online. Just answer about specific dates of starting and ending at the particular job. You'll also have to approximate the jobs you've had for the last 18 months.