Waiting 20 weeks on my first unemployment payment (Raleigh)

I applied for unemployment in Raleigh 20 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I do not usually post, so bear with me. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. What would you check first?

When I finally got through, the agent said my employer had responded late. Once that cleared, back pay came in one payment.

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