Been there; experienced that.
You can’t afford to dwell too much on why they cut you loose. But I would appeal the UE. They may not need a reason to terminate you, but (in my experience) they need to declare a specific reason why they challenge your claim.
I have successfully appealed under similar circumstances when I was let go from Microsoft.
If you are paid as an independent contractor and received a 1099 firm them not eligible for unemployment benefits.