Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in IC 22-4-5-1 or subsection (b) or (c), an unemployed individual shall be eligible to receive benefits with respect to any week only if the individual has made a claim for benefits in accordance with IC 22-4-17.
(b) A person who:
(1) accepts a layoff under an inverse seniority clause of a validly negotiated contract; and
(2) otherwise meets the eligibility requirements established by this article;
is entitled to receive benefits in the same amounts, under the same terms, and subject to the same conditions as any other unemployed person.
(c) This subsection applies to initial claims for unemployment filed for a week that begins after March 14, 2008, and before October 1, 2011. This subsection does not apply to a person who elects to retire in connection with a layoff or plant closure and receive pension, retirement, or annuity payments. Except as provided in IC 22-4-5-1, a person who:
(1) accepts an offer of payment or other compensation offered by an employer to avert or lessen the effect of a layoff or plant closure; and
(2) otherwise meets the eligibility requirements established by this article;
is entitled to receive benefits in the same amounts, under the same terms, and subject to the same conditions as any other unemployed person.