My first unemployment payment still has not arrived - 5 months and counting

I filed my claim 22 weeks ago after being let go as an accounts payable clerk. There are 11 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. 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.