My first unemployment payment still has not arrived - any advice?

I filed my claim 17 weeks ago after being let go as a pharmacy technician. There are 16 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. Has anyone been through this? How long did it take in the end?

Check the messages section of your claim, not just the dashboard. That is where my request for more information was hiding.