Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial (update)

My claim was denied after 3 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. There are 11 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I have not done a hearing before and I am nervous. Did you bring documents or only talk?

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.