Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - 8 months and counting

My claim was denied after 18 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I have not done a hearing before and I am nervous. Should I ask someone for free legal help?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 8 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

I printed my emails in order and wrote a one-page timeline. The hearing officer kept going back to it.