Got a denial letter for unemployment, what now? (update)

My claim was denied after 22 weeks of waiting, and the letter says I have a short window to appeal. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. 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 last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.