Waiting 22 weeks on my first unemployment payment after 9 years as a data-entry clerk

I was laid off as a data-entry clerk and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I am in Raleigh, in case local advice matters. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. What would you check first?

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