My first unemployment payment still has not arrived, IT help-desk technician here

I applied for unemployment in Detroit 25 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I am in Detroit, in case local advice matters. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. What would you check first?

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It saved me later.

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