Got a denial letter for unemployment, what now? after 16 years as a hotel front-desk agent

My claim was denied after 26 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. 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 last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.