How do I apply for legal aid?

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

You can:

• apply online—currently only available for people who do not own any property and either:

  • receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program payments
  • have no income
  • are new to Canada
  • are living in a shelter
  • are incarcerated

• call us at 416‑979‑1446, toll free at 1‑800‑668‑8258 or through Bell Relay service at 1‑800‑855‑0511 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (EST). If you are in a correctional facility or are seeking services such as summary legal advice, please call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• ask a legal aid worker, if you are in jail or a detention centre

• ask a rights’ advisor or patient advocate, if you are in a hospital

• ask your lawyer, if you are out of custody and applying for legal aid in a criminal matter

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.