Waiting 19 weeks on my first unemployment payment

I was laid off as a copywriter and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. There are 11 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. Is there a step I could have missed?

Check the messages section of your claim, not just the dashboard. That is where my request for more information was hiding.

Keep certifying every week even while you wait. If they find you eligible, the weeks you certified are the ones that count.