Waiting 18 weeks on my first unemployment payment after 8 years as a hotel front-desk agent

I applied for unemployment in Baltimore 18 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I am in Baltimore, in case local advice matters. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. What would you check first?

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.