I have worked for the same place for seven years, the chance for redundency came up plus 7 weeks notice came up. ( In the UK we pay insurance for this)
After leaving i was informed i must sign on for state benefits, i informed them i dont want or need state benefits, they told me if you dont claim it they take it out of my 7 weeks notice period.
Basically i was informed if i took the money they would reclaim it from my insurance, if i did not take it they would reclaim it back from my savings.
benefits are essential in a modern society but this was redidculous