When determining eligibility for legal aid services, financial and substantive eligibility are considered.

Financial Eligibility: This is determined by family income (income for the last 30 days and last 12 months), family size and assets. "Family" consists of the applicant, their spouse and any dependents (Example: children, common-law spouses). Assets may also be considered. 

"Net income" means all the money received by the family after deductions. In the case of youths, it is the income of his/her parents or guardians that determine eligibility, unless the young person lives on his/her own. 

Substantive Eligibility: Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) offers coverage for many legal issues, but not all.  We provide legal aid most often for:

• Serious criminal charges
• Charges laid under the Youth Criminal Justice Act
• Family law
• Child welfare
• Civil law (Example: employment, tenant, income support)
• Immigration (Example: refugee claims)
  

What Am I Eligible For?  

Eligibility for legal aid has changed.  No longer a "one size fits all" approach, LAA believes the best way to address people's legal needs is to provided personalized legal service plans.  Our Legal Services Centres offer clients a wide range of services, including basic legal information and referrals. 

Every Albertan, regardless of their income amount can call a Legal Services Centre and receive free information and referrals.  To learn about the other services that may be available to you, please view the tables below. (Effective July 1, 2011)           

                                            FAMILY SIZE

If your income falls within the amounts listed above, you are eligible for some of the following services as recommended by LAA:

• Legal advice
• Brief services
• Family Settlement Services
• Full representation (*Legal aid is not free. You may be asked to make a downpayment and/or monthly payments in order to recieve full representation from a lawyer)

If your income is over the amounts listed above, you may eligible for other legal services (e.g. legal advice from a staff lawyer and brief services) based on the following guidelines:

 FAMILY SIZE