Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - 17 weeks in

My claim was denied after 17 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I do not usually post, so bear with me. I have not done a hearing before and I am nervous.

File the appeal before the deadline, even if you are unsure. You can gather documents afterwards. That is the one part I would not wait on.

Stay calm and stick to facts. Mine lasted about thirty minutes and felt more like a conversation than a trial.