First unemployment deposit is late, what should I check? - 18 weeks in

I was laid off as a store manager and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. What would you check first?

When I finally got through, the agent said my employer had responded late. Once that cleared, back pay came in one payment.