I can’t afford representation for my upcoming hearing can you tell me a good resource I can use to help myself

I have a pending California EDD hearing because I appealed an overpayment,the reason they give for my denial is that I quit my job without good cause.
I don’t entended to pursue UI benefits, but I want to ask the judge to remove the overpayment and penalty, because I believe I did have a good cause.
I previously worked in California on a short term contract and I live in another state.
During this time that I was working, I had a series of events happen to my family and homestead.
I was able to be home on leave last Christmas, my disabled son became seriously ill and spent 3 days in the hospital with contagious influenza and dehyration. It was fortunate that I was home at this time because he passed out from high fever.

In my absence my wife was having to manage home insurance repairs for the exterior siding, dealing with contractors and inspectors. I tried to have these repairs completed before I left out of state, but the contractors kept delaying work.

A 3rd problem manifested itself having nothing to do with the insurance repairs, the main natural gas line feeding the house became deteriorated and was leaking gas it had to be shut off and totally replaced at a high dollar cost.

After careful consideration of my sons well being and all the issues taking place for my home and repairs not to mention the stress on my wife and on our marriage.
I came to the conclusion that it would be in the best interest of my family if I leave California and be near home, this would mean I have to tell the company I will need to quit.
I need to add that during the months I was working,I made regular communication to my company superior. I made sure to include in our conversations about future work within the company. I made it clear before I accepted this job that I was looking for long term employment. He verbally promised me several times that he would find me work in a location near where I live when the contract ends.
I tried to preserve my employment with the company before, during and up to the week before I left the job location.
I gave the company 2 weeks notice, I did not leave until my next scheduled home trip. I left 3 weeks short of the original contract date.

What I want to ask you is this, I don’t have the money to pay anyone to represent me for the hearing. I will have to go it alone, what resource or practice template can you tell me use so I can prepare for this. “I don’t want to get run over by the bus” like I did in the my last phone hearing. I was humiliated by hearing board.

Thank you for your consideration and time.