that is not what I was told. I bluntly pointed out that I expected to make good money that year despite being laid off (and I did), and he said it did not matte

that is not what I was told. I bluntly pointed out that I expected to make good money that year despite being laid off (and I did), and he said it did not matter, since I was unemployed, my expectation for the current week was zero. It has nothing to do with whether you have a lotto ticket or a company exit. Although obviously if you're working at your company, you are not unemployed and do not have zero income expectation.