I just got unofficially laid off from a FT job in FL. The official conversation will take place at the end of this week. Need advice!?

I've been told unofficially that my job will probably be given an end date that's about 8 weeks out because my manager whom I've been filling in for is on an extended leave of absence, and they want him to come back before they push me out. To qualify for unemployment, do I need to stay the entire 8 weeks. I'm really frustrated because I'm currently doing my job plus my bosses with no additional compensation. My gut is to walk, but my brain knows better. Also, I've been told that they want to keep me because I have more experience than anyone else on staff and my boss will need another extended leave of absence next year, so they'll offer to let me keep my pay and take a demotion to a PT position. I need a FT position, so I'm going to be seriously searching for work, but should I not get another job by the termination date, should I take the demotion. Will that affect my unemployment benefit? Can I claim partial unemployment? I've never been here before, so let me know if you think that I need to ask/demand something that I'm not thinking about now. I've already been told to ask about severance, benefits, and leftover PTO. Whatever you've got, throw it at me.