Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - any advice?

My claim was denied after 23 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. The letter lists a deadline and a hearing process, but it is hard to follow. Should I ask someone for free legal help?

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

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 7 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.