Waiting 12 weeks on my first unemployment payment - 14 months and counting

I filed my claim 12 weeks ago after being let go as a store manager. I am in Oklahoma City, in case local advice matters. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. What would you check first?

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.