offered severance, resigned, rehired and denied severance

I was told in 2014 that our company would be closing by the end of 2015 and I was offered a severance package to stay until closing. In June of 2016, the company was still planing to close but the end date was now not known. I resigned under the assumption that since 2015 had ended I could get my severance. I was not given severance and my new job did not work out. i asked to be rehired and I was but as a contractor. now the company is closing and we were given 60 days notice and everyone is getting severance letters except me. the company says because I was rehired as a contractor I am not eligible. I even asked when I was rehired if I was going to be able to get severance and did not get and answer I was just told probably. Can my company be compelled to pay me severance?