Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - first time posting

My claim was denied after 18 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. The letter lists a deadline and a hearing process, but it is hard to follow.

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.

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