Waiting 18 weeks on my first unemployment payment - what worked for you?

I filed my claim 18 weeks ago after being let go as a bookkeeper. Any experience at all would help. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording.

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.

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