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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
  • For legal professionals
    • COVID-19: Ongoing list of supports for lawyers
    • 2019 service changes
    • Empanelment
    • Case management
    • Test case funding
    • Mentoring
    • Billing
      • Legal Aid Online
      • B3 Newsletters
      • Audit & Compliance
    • Resources
      • Aboriginal legal issues
      • Criminal lawyers
      • Family lawyers
      • Mental health lawyers
      • Refugee and immigration lawyers
    • News for lawyers
    • LAO LAW
    • Forms library
    • Contacts for lawyers
  • Corporate
    • About
    • 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, we will help pay for a lawyer to represent you.

You can apply by:

  • calling 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 5 p.m. (EST)
  • asking a legal aid worker, if you are in jail or a detention centre
  • asking a rights’ advisor or patient advocate, if you are in a hospital
  • asking 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

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.

  • Please tell us why

Related Pages

Temporary service changes due to COVID-19

Last updated: August 13, 2020 As part of our response to the COVID-19 emergency, all of our office locations, including those in courthouses, are closed until further notice. We continue to provide legal aid services via telephone only. Call us at: Toll-free: 1-800-668-8258 GTA:…

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 not…

Call us at 1-800-668-8258 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) for help in over 300 languages.

Current wait time: The CLSC is currently closed.

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