Waiting 23 weeks on my first unemployment payment - first time posting

I applied for unemployment in Raleigh 23 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. I have been trying to stay organised about it. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

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.