Waiting 26 weeks on my first unemployment payment after 3 years as a sales associate

I applied for unemployment in Knoxville 26 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. What would you check first?

Mine took about 26 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.