Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial (St. Louis)

My claim was denied after 12 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I am in St. Louis, in case local advice matters. I have not done a hearing before and I am nervous. 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.