To update. Severance payout does not affect UI in Texas. Some people lost a week by answering wrong (you get it at the end if you wait 6 months anyway).
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Filing for Texas Unemployment was easy. I did it online the day after I left the company. It was fast and not too many questions. I collected for all 6 months and didn't look for work once. The Texas Workforce Commission only asked for 1 week of work search history in all that time, somewhere around month 4. I scrambled to put together a list of 3 companies that had posted jobs in that time period. Instead if reporting I applied online, I reported I had mailed in my resume and cover letter to the respective company's HR department. I met with no problems, follow up or questions. Just goes to show you how government works. They are there to dole out money and that's exactly what they do.
I submitted my waiver as soon as I recieved it; still waiting for any news.
Filing for California unemployment was fun too.
I lost 6-7% of my severance (that I would have received on my 2016+2017 tax returns if I make significantly less in 2016) by getting it in 2015. Not a big deal as my severance was small, I got it sooner, I don't know if it would have been on my 2016 W2, I don't know if I'm allowed to put it on my 2016 W2 (I believe I am), I don't know if I am going to make more money in 2016 (highly unlikely that I will), it makes it easier for me to qualify for aid and unemployment (which shouldn't be affected too much unless you wait for severance to file), and I didn't run the risk of losing COBRA subsidy or severance check or pension vesting by waiting too long.
If you already turned in your waiver, it doesn't matter.
If you haven't turned it in yet, it doesn't matter-because it will be in 2016 unless Chevron puts it in 2015 on your W2-in which case you can ask for an amended W2-to which they may or may not oblige.
From my understanding, if you receive it in January it will count for next years taxes and you could save 4-25% of your check or so on federal income tax (after you file in 2017; 25% will be withheld regardless). However, you may also qualify for certain forms of aid by reducing your 2016 income. Also keep in mind that you have limited time to take advantage of COBRA (severance package) if you delay your waiver too long. ADP/Chevron HR are not great at getting your severance check and COBRA paperwork to you (took 1 month for severance and ~45 days for COBRA-they messed my COBRA up). So make sure you plan for potential delays.
The IRS hates it when you get your severance in the wrong year by exploiting the waiting period of 60 days to release Chevron from litigation. I don't know what they do, if anything, about it. But it is a sore spot for them.