Waiting 23 weeks on my first unemployment payment (San Diego)

I was laid off as a dental hygienist and filed right away, and I have been certifying every week. I am in San Diego, in case local advice matters. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

Check the messages section of your claim, not just the dashboard. That is where my request for more information was hiding.