Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - any advice?

My claim was denied after 13 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. Should I ask someone for free legal help?

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.