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

I applied for unemployment in Madison 18 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I worked as a payroll clerk before this. 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?

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.