Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - first time posting

My claim was denied after 8 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. It has been a long 8 weeks. The letter lists a deadline and a hearing process, but it is hard to follow. 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.

Stay calm and stick to facts. Mine lasted about thirty minutes and felt more like a conversation than a trial.