Which of the following qualifies as payments in lieu of earnings?

Payments in lieu of earnings refer to financial assistance provided to individuals who are not receiving regular earnings from employment. This concept encompasses various forms of compensation that serve as a substitute for typical wages, particularly in situations of unemployment, injury, or termination of employment.

Unemployment benefits are designed to aid individuals who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own, providing support while they seek new employment. Severance pay, on the other hand, is compensation given to an employee who is laid off or terminated, serving as a financial buffer during their transition to new job opportunities. Lastly, workers' compensation or disability compensation provides financial support to those who are injured on the job or have a disability that prevents them from working, acting much like a paycheck during their recovery.

Thus, all these forms of payments fall under the broader category of payments in lieu of earnings, as they all provide financial support to individuals who are not earning traditional wages. This is why the answer that encompasses all three options is accurate.