Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial, paralegal here

My claim was denied after 9 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I worked as a paralegal before this. The letter lists a deadline and a hearing process, but it is hard to follow. If you have appealed before, what helped you prepare?

Legal aid offices and some workforce centres help with unemployment hearings at no cost. A call is worth it.

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.