My first unemployment payment still has not arrived - 22 weeks in

I was laid off as a copywriter and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. Any experience at all would help. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

Mine took about 22 weeks because of an identity check I did not notice. Look for a message or a letter you may have missed in your online account.