Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial after 16 years as an event coordinator

My claim was denied after 16 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?

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.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.