Waiting 17 weeks on my first unemployment payment (Little Rock)

I was laid off as an accountant and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I am in Little Rock, in case local advice matters. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

When I finally got through, the agent said my employer had responded late. Once that cleared, back pay came in one payment.