His letter of termination stated that Gardner would "receive a lump sum termination payment that will be equivalent to an additional four (4) weeks salary." On June 13, 1997, after still not having received the promised severance payment, Gardner began to file for weekly unemployment benefits, with the first claim effective the week ending June 8, 1997. *fn2 On his benefits application, Gardner indicated that he would receive severance pay equal to $929 per week for the period between May 30, 1997 and June 28, 1997. Gardner actually received the severance payment in a lump sum on July 7, 1997, almost forty days after he was discharged.