Waiting 20 weeks on my first unemployment payment - 20 weeks in

I was laid off as a retail manager and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. Any experience at all would help. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. Has anyone been through this? How long did it take in the end?

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