Waiting 12 weeks on my first unemployment payment (Sacramento)

I filed my claim 12 weeks ago after being let go as a medical assistant. It has been a long 12 weeks. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Has anyone been through this? How long did it take in the end?

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.