Free Calculator
Legal Aid Eligibility Calculator 2026
Indicative eligibility check using current Legal Aid Agency thresholds. Civil and family means test. Runs in your browser; we collect nothing. Updated May 2026.
Legal aid eligibility calculator
Indicative only. Final eligibility decided by the Legal Aid Agency based on your submitted documents. Source thresholds: gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
Gross income within limit, but disposable income (income less rent, childcare, maintenance) above £733/month limit. Not eligible.
Note: family legal aid additionally requires domestic abuse or child protection evidence per LASPO 2012 Schedule 1. Means is necessary but not sufficient.
How the means test works
The Legal Aid Agency applies three tests, all of which must be satisfied for full eligibility:
- Gross monthly income. Under £2,657 (single, no children). Higher allowances for partners and dependent children.
- Disposable monthly income. Gross income less rent/mortgage, childcare paid, maintenance paid to former partner. Must be under £733. Below £316 = no contribution; £316 to £733 = monthly contribution band.
- Capital. Savings plus non-home equity must be under £8,000. The first £100,000 of home equity is disregarded subject to mortgage caps. Pensioner disregards apply over 60.
Source: Legal Aid Agency means thresholds (gov.uk), Civil Legal Aid Means Regulations 2013 as amended.
Passporting benefits
If you receive any of these means-tested benefits, the income means test is waived (you still need to be under the capital limit):
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Guarantee-credit element of Pension Credit
Case-type covered
Means is necessary but not sufficient. The case must also be a covered category under LASPO 2012 Schedule 1:
- Family -- only with evidence of domestic abuse or child protection.
- Housing -- homelessness, possession, disrepair.
- Immigration -- asylum, detention, trafficking.
- Criminal defence -- police station and most court representation.
- Mental health -- tribunal proceedings.
- Public law -- judicial review of public bodies.
- Education and welfare benefits -- limited categories.
What this calculator does not do
- Apply the merits test (your case must have sufficient prospects of success).
- Apply the proportionality test (cost vs benefit).
- Calculate the statutory charge that may apply on recovered assets.
- Account for partner's income (in practice, your partner's income is aggregated unless you have separate finances or are in dispute with them).
- Determine the precise contribution band if you are in the £316 to £733 disposable-income range.
For a binding eligibility decision, see a legal aid solicitor (find one at find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk).