Financial eligibility for duty counsel services increases March 3
Published: March 3, 2025
Effective today, March 3, LAO is raising the financial eligibility thresholds for family and criminal duty counsel services to help more low-income Ontarians get the legal help they need.
LAO’s income threshold to qualify for family and criminal duty counsel services increases to $45,440 for families of up to four people. The income threshold for families of five or more remains the same. Asset thresholds for duty counsel services also increases to $15,000, regardless of family size.
| Family size | Income thresholds for duty counsel services | Asset thresholds for duty counsel services |
|---|---|---|
| 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 will allow more people with a criminal or family matter to get free advice and representation from a duty counsel lawyer, which will help lower the number of unrepresented individuals in courts. Having access to a lawyer will also help reduce the uncertainty people feel and the stress of handling legal matters on their own.
LAO’s expansion of its financial eligibility thresholds for family and criminal duty counsel services will be in effect until spring 2028.