Thread regarding ConocoPhillips layoffs

Unemployment benefits elgibility and 'severance pay' in Texas

I stand to get 21 weeks and am most likely on the chopping block. Am i eligible to receive unemp benefits from day 1? Texas only counts after the 'period of coverage of the severence pay'. But the verbage at:
https://efte.twc.texas.gov/release_waiver_agreements.html
""2.Incentive money, i.e., money paid to secure an employee's agreement not to file claims or lawsuits, is not regarded as severance pay for unemployment claim purposes and will not affect unemployment benefits if it is paid to obtain a release or waiver of liability from the departing employee with regard to the Civil Rights Act of 1991, or to settle a claim or lawsuit that has already been filed, or in connection with a written contract that was negotiated between the employer and employee prior to the date of the work separation.""

#2 seems to indicate that in our case , the 'Enhanced lumpsum' we receive seems to be more of a 'I wont sue you for this money' so does not count as severance money or the sake of unemp benfs?


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| 2721 views | | 4 replies (last October 21) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1k7whkshg

4 replies (most recent on top)

@e1 It depends on the severance pay. If it's a lump sum I would encourage someone to go ahead and file first week not working. The severance may only affect the one week it is received. In Texas unemployment average 21 weeks and in Oklahoma it is 16 weeks. However, unemployment is only a supplement. Texas Maximum per week is $591 and Oklahoma is $539. These may change a little in 2026.

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Post ID: @q3+1k7whkshg

21 weeks? take the money and run. I wonder what type of package will be offered in layoff round 2 and 3?

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Post ID: @fb+1k7whkshg

To be eligible for the severance you do need to sign the I-will-not-sue-you agreement, but don't mistake it as a bad deal. ConocoPhillips severance package is generous compared to the average package in Texas.

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Post ID: @fa+1k7whkshg

In Texas you can collect unemployment pay right after getting layed off, in addition to severance pay.

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Post ID: @e1+1k7whkshg

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