My first unemployment payment still has not arrived - 25 weeks in

I applied for unemployment in Raleigh 25 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I worked as a dental hygienist before this. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Has anyone been through this? How long did it take in the end?

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

Keep certifying every week even while you wait. If they find you eligible, the weeks you certified are the ones that count.