Waiting 18 weeks on my first unemployment payment

I was laid off as a quality inspector and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

Mine took about 18 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.