Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial after 15 years as a teaching assistant

My claim was denied after 18 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My employer's version of events does not match mine, and I have emails that show it.

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

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.