Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial after 9 years as a bank teller

My claim was denied after 26 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. It has been a long 26 weeks. My employer's version of events does not match mine, and I have emails that show it. Should I ask someone for free legal help?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 4 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.