Asset Test

Legal Aid looks at all of your assets, such as cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds and RRSPs to see if you can pay for all of your legal fees. We also look at anything you can sell or easily convert to cash. Depending on your situation, you may be expected to use some of your assets to pay for legal fees.  We also look at other assets, such as houses, cars and property. Normally if you own a house or property, you are expected to borrow against it to pay for legal fees. You must provide proof of your assets, such as tax returns, bank records or financial statements.

Income Test

Legal Aid will ask you to give information about all of your sources of income, including you,  your spouse, common-law partner or same-sex partner and your dependant children. Income includes social assistance, band assistance, employment insurance, workers' compensation, employment income, maintenance payments, pensions, self-employment earnings, child tax benefits, rental income, etc. We look at your net income, that is, after any payroll deductions.

If you are on social assistance or band assistance, you are usually eligible for legal aid, depending on your available assets.

Proof Needed

You must prove your sources of income to Legal Aid staff through recent pay slips, social assistance, pension income, EI or WCB statements, tax returns, bank records or financial statements.

You may be eligible for legal aid if your net income is at or below: