Companies don't need to offer severance in the US, unless there's an employment agreement that specifies it.

Even in California? (Series question I’m too lazy to Google)

Even in California.

That law says they have to be notified, it doesn't mention anything about severance.

He's offering 3 months to avoid violating the WARN act - so while severance is not required, following WARN is.

Yeah, it's probably 60 days of not-working at Twitter, plus an actual severance payout.

Without a payroll or tax team it's probably none of that.

They don't need to offer severance, but they do (in many cases) have to offer a minimum 60 days notice of lay off. The initial wave of layoffs offered at least 60 days severance in lieu of notice. How this "love it or leave it" ploy works I'm not sure, but since there is severance, it probably doesn't matter.

The question now is, with no one in payroll department, will people laid off with a promised amount of severance pay ever see it?

The Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or WARN Act, offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers (with 100 or more full-time workers) to provide written notice 60 days in advance of plant closings, mass layoffs and/or sale of a business.

If you get fired after clicking Yes but then refusing to do the work, would you still get the severance? I am thinking not?

What is mentioned too little as well; what is the upside of clicking yes? Is this a trophy? I am not American and trophies mean nothing at all to me even though i have a few: i like things i can use irl. So if click yes, is this going to do anything outside making Musk richer?

Would being fired in that way affect your ability to collect unemployment?