Waiting 20 weeks on my first unemployment payment - any advice?

I was laid off as a web developer and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date.

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

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