Got a denial letter for unemployment, what now? - 6 weeks in

My claim was denied after 6 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. There are 9 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. My employer's version of events does not match mine, and I have emails that show it.

I printed my emails in order and wrote a one-page timeline. The hearing officer kept going back to 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.