Waiting 23 weeks on my first unemployment payment

I was laid off as a school bus driver and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. Any experience at all would help. The page shows my claim as open but no payment date. Has anyone been through this? How long did it take in the end?

Mine took about 23 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.