Financial eligibility for criminal certificate services increases March 31
Published: March 31, 2025
Today, March 31, LAO is raising the financial eligibility thresholds for criminal certificate services to help more low-income Ontarians get the legal help they need.
LAO’s income threshold to qualify for criminal certificate services is increasing to $45,440 for families of up to four people. The income threshold for families of five or more will remain the same. Asset thresholds for criminal certificate services are also increasing to $15,000, regardless of family size.
| Family size | Income thresholds for criminal certificates | Asset thresholds for criminal certificates |
|---|---|---|
| Single boarders | $45,440 | $15,000 |
| 1 | $45,440 | $15,000 |
| 2 | $45,440 | $15,000 |
| 3 | $45,440 | $15,000 |
| 4 | $45,440 | $15,000 |
| 5+ | $50,803 | $15,000 |
The increases allow more people facing criminal charges to hire a legal aid lawyer, decreasing the number of individuals who represent themselves in court. Having access to a lawyer will also help reduce the uncertainty people feel and stress of handling legal matters on their own.
LAO’s expansion of its financial eligibility thresholds for criminal certificate services supports the province’s goal of reducing the backlog in criminal courts and will be in effect until spring 2028.