Legal Aid Financial Criteria
To qualify for legal aid, we will need to review whether you meet the Legal Aid Agency’s Financial Criteria. Assessments will need to be carried out on your income and capital.
You MUST satisfy the criteria for BOTH income AND capital to be eligible for Legal Aid.
If you are in receipt of any type of benefit, then you will qualify on the income part of the assessment depending upon the type of benefit you receive. If you are not in receipt of benefits then an income calculation will be carried out.
We will require proof of ALL your income, capital, and outgoings for example:
1. Benefit letter dated within the last 6 months confirming which benefit you are in receipt of e.g. Jobseekers Allowance
2. Wage slips if you are employed (previous 3 months)
3. Invoices to clients if you are self-employed (previous 3 months) and/or cash book
4. Tax Return if you are self-employed
5. Letter from your accountant confirming your drawings for the last year if you are self-employed
6. Private/Occupational Pension documents
7. Previous 3 months bank statements for all bank accounts you hold
8. Recent tax credit award notice
9. Proof of child benefit
10. Proof of maintenance payments you receive from your ex-partner
11. Proof of financial support you receive from a family member/friend
12. Student grant/loan letter
13. Proof of rent paid-rent account statement or tenancy agreement or letter from the person you are staying with confirming how much rent you pay them and how i.e. cash in hand/cheque
14. Proof of mortgage payments
15. Proof of child maintenance payments if you pay them
16. Proof of childcare-a letter from your child-minder confirming how much you pay and when/invoice/contract or agreement
17. Proof of any capital for example stocks and shares
This list is not complete and proof we require will vary from case to case.
You can see if you are eligible by going to: http://www.justice.gov.uk/legal-aid/assess-your-clients-eligibility/civil-eligibility-calculator