Waiting 18 weeks on my first unemployment payment after 18 years as a copywriter

I was laid off as a copywriter and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. 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.

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.