A new law for unemployment in Wisconsin?

Can I collect unemployment benefits and severence pay at the same time in Wisconsin?

• I am already receiving unemployment benefits and just received one yr. severance in a lump sum. The company says it will not contest unemployment due to workforce reduction and says it depends on the state. The Wisconsin unemployment office says it depends on the company and how it is allocated. The lump sum is being paid at the same time other employees are receiving their bi-weekly paychecks. One person at wi unemployment office says to answer no when asked if receiving "dismissal pay" another said answer yes. Do not want a big fiasco if answer incorrectly and then have to pay back at later date. Thank you!

• Answer:

  If you're getting conflicting answers from people at the actual WI unemployment office nobody here is going to be able to give you a definitive answer. And even if they could, how would you know, because you'll probably get differing answers here, too.