Waiting 18 weeks on my first unemployment payment (Columbus)

I was laid off as a sales associate and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I do not usually post, so bear with me. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Has anyone been through this? How long did it take in the end?

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