Waiting 19 weeks on my first unemployment payment after 4 years as a copywriter

I was laid off as a copywriter and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I have been trying to stay organised about it. 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.