My first unemployment payment still has not arrived - first time posting

I filed my claim 22 weeks ago after being let go as a school bus driver. Thank you in advance. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

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

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