Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial (update)

My claim was denied after 6 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. There are 17 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. 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 8 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.