Were you told you do not qualify for legal aid?
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 qualify for a lawyer that we will help pay for, you can:
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Call us at 1‑800‑668‑8258 or visit the Other ways we can help page to learn about other options available to you.
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Ask for a review if you do not agree with our decision to deny you legal aid.
If your legal aid certificate was cancelled because you no longer qualify for legal aid, you can:
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Call us at 1‑800‑668‑8258 or visit the Other ways we can help page to learn about other options available to you.
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Ask for a review if you do not agree with our decision to cancel your legal aid certificate.
How do I ask for a review?
Write to us within 22 business days from the date on your notice. If you are in jail or in the hospital, send us your request within 52 days from the date on your notice. We will not consider your request if we receive them outside of those timelines.
You must include:
- your name
- your client number, which appears at the top of the notice
- your current contact information including mailing address, email, and telephone number
- the reason for your review (see your notice for further instructions)
You can send us your request for review through our client portal if you are registered. You can also drop off your request to any legal aid office or mail or fax us at:
Legal Aid Ontario
Attn: Please put the name of the director on your notice
40 Dundas Street West, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M5G 2H1
Fax: 416-979-7338
We will do our best to respond to your request in writing within 10 business days. If you do not hear from us after 10 business days, please contact us.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, please call our contract centre at 1‑800‑668‑8258. A representative will take your request for review. You will need to provide:
- your name
- your client number (this is at the top of your notice)
- your current mailing address and telephone number
- the reason you are asking us to look at your decision again
Please note that eligibility decisions for family law and child protection cases made before March 16, 2020 are final and cannot be reviewed on the basis of LAO’s interim COVID‑19 policy.