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All visitors to legal aid offices must wear a mask until further notice.
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Français LAO Client Portal
Français LAO Client Portal
  • Services
    • Temporary service changes due to COVID-19
    • COVID-19 and the courts: Answers to frequently asked questions
    • Criminal legal issues
    • Domestic Violence
    • Family legal issues
    • Mental health legal issues
    • Refugee and immigration legal issues
    • All services
    • Legal clinics
    • How to apply
    • Find a lawyer
      • Finding the right legal aid lawyer
    • What do you think about our services?
  • For legal professionals
    • COVID-19: Ongoing list of supports for lawyers
    • LASA, 2020 process updates for lawyers
    • Changes to policies and certificate coverage
    • Roster resources
      • Audit & Compliance
      • Billing
      • Case management
      • Forms library
      • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 policies
      • Legal Aid Online
      • LAO LAW
      • Resources by area of law
    • Do legal aid work
    • Mentoring
    • Test case funding
    • News for lawyers
    • B3 Newsletters
    • Contacts for lawyers
  • Corporate
    • About
    • Rules and policies
    • Board of Directors
    • Executive Team
    • Board Advisory Committees
    • Our clients
    • Sidney B. Linden Award
    • French Language Services
    • Consultations
    • Open Government
    • Reports
    • Publications
    • News
    • Social media
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ

How do I apply for legal aid?

Important notice:
Some of our services have temporarily changed due to the COVID‑19 crisis. The information provided on this page may no longer be accurate. Please visit our COVID‑19 client page to learn how this may impact you.

If you qualify financially and have a legal issue that we cover, Legal Aid Ontario will help pay for a lawyer to represent you.

You can apply for legal aid in three ways.

  1. Online
  2. By phone
  3. In person

The online application process is currently only available to people who do not own any property and either:

  • receive income assistance such as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program payments,
  • do not have any income,
  • are new to Canada,
  • are living in a shelter,
  • are completing the application on behalf of someone who is incarcerated.

To apply by phone, call us using one of the numbers below Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST).

  • 416-979-1446 (Greater Toronto Area)
  • 1-800-668-8258 (toll-free)

In-person help is available from:

  • A legal aid worker if you are in a correctional facility, including jail or a detention centre.
  • A patient advocate or rights’ advisor, if you are in hospital.
  • A lawyer, if you are out of custody and applying for legal aid in a criminal matter


Available via YouTube | 3:05

Do I need anything before I apply?

  • any documents about your legal case
  • proof of your income, if you have any. For example, recent pay stubs, social assistance cheque stubs, or employment insurance statements.

Contribution agreements

If you have an income or own property, you may qualify for a certificate with a contribution agreement. This means you will be required to repay LAO some or all of your legal fees, based on your income level.

A contribution agreement outlines how much you will repay LAO. Learn more about contribution agreements.

Do you live outside of Ontario?

If you have a legal issue in Ontario but live outside of the province or country refer to our page on non resident services.

  • This form is feedback only.

Related Pages

Temporary service changes due to COVID-19

Last updated: May 20, 2022 A blend of remote and in-person services are now available as part of Legal Aid Ontario’s transition back to providing in-person services. Visitors must screen for COVID-19 symptoms before entering a legal aid office. Instructions are posted outside…

Will Legal Aid pay for my lawyer?

Important notice: Some of our services have temporarily changed due to the COVID‑19 crisis. The information provided on this page may no longer be accurate. Please visit our COVID‑19 client page to learn how this may impact you. If you qualify financially and have a…

Were you told you do not qualify for legal aid?

Important notice: Some of our services have temporarily changed due to the COVID‑19 crisis. The information provided on this page may no longer be accurate. Please visit our COVID‑19 client page to learn how this may impact you. If you applied for legal aid and you do…

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