Waiting 16 weeks on my first unemployment payment after 17 years as an IT help-desk technician

I was laid off as an IT help-desk technician and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I am in Columbus, in case local advice matters. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. 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.