Got a denial letter for unemployment, what now?

My claim was denied after 21 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. 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 7 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

Stay calm and stick to facts. Mine lasted about thirty minutes and felt more like a conversation than a trial.