Thank you for the response!

So you don't think her saying that the CEO said I "shot myself in the foot" by how I submitted the claim and then admitting they had no issue with me getting unemployment wont be helpful in any way? I texted her again today to follow up and was more direct. In text I told her I think that their claim that I was fired for "disparaging the company" was not factual. I am waiting to see if she responds and how as that may more directly speak to the core of the issue. For a little more additional context, the "Joanne" referred to in the text is our HR rep (she runs her own HR business and is on contract with the company -- not an employee). I emailed her the day I got the denial (as I was advised to do so, despite the fact I wasn't sure where she stood insofar as still being a resource I could call upon since I was a former employee) and she has not gotten back to me.

As far as who I voiced my dissatisfaction too I really don't know. I honestly had to search my thoughts for anything I could think of that would justify their claim that I disparaged the company and that was all I could come up with. I had a close co-worker in customer service and our offices were adjacent. She was one of the ones who had worked there 5+ years and was also one of the coworkers who routinely complained about the company and it's likely I made those comments to her. I know her socially and told her about how my claim had been denied and that testimony had evidently been submitted against me and she was shocked and wondered if it was the CEO who provided the testimony himself. But again, I know this is not the reason I was fired. They never mentioned anything about this and in fact often said the exact opposite (I was professional, etc.). So I really don't know what type of testimony they have to support their claim -- I am even a little concerned they would gin some up :/