Appeal deadline questions after an unemployment denial - what worked for you?

My claim was denied after 3 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. It has been a long 3 weeks. The letter lists a deadline and a hearing process, but it is hard to follow. Should I ask someone for free legal help?

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

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 3 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.