My first unemployment payment still has not arrived - what worked for you?

I applied for unemployment in Kansas City 17 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. What would you check first?

Mine took about 17 weeks because of an identity check I did not notice. Look for a message or a letter you may have missed in your online account.

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