Waiting 21 weeks on my first unemployment payment - what worked for you?

I was laid off as a pharmacy technician and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. There are 14 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. 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.