Waiting 22 weeks on my first unemployment payment

I was laid off as a graphic designer and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I am in Seattle, in case local advice matters. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 10 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

Mine took about 22 weeks because of an identity check I did not notice. Look for a message or a letter you may have missed in your online account.