A legal problem can turn your life upside down, and paying a lawyer is out of reach for many families. The good news is that free legal help in Ontario exists for people with low incomes, especially for problems with housing, income support, family matters and criminal charges.
At Friendship House in Brantford, we are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice. But we often meet neighbours facing an eviction notice, a cut-off benefit or a family crisis, and we want you to know where to turn.
Quick answer
Where can I get free legal help in Ontario?
Start with Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with help in over 300 languages. If you qualify, Legal Aid can pay for a lawyer for covered problems. Community legal clinics help with issues like eviction and denied Ontario Works or ODSP, and duty counsel can help you on the day of a court appearance.
Legal Aid Ontario
Legal Aid Ontario (opens in a new tab) helps people with low incomes get legal services. If you qualify financially and have a covered legal problem, it will pay for a lawyer to help you.
- Phone: 1-800-668-8258, toll-free
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Languages: help in over 300 languages
- Live chat for general questions: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Legal Aid Ontario’s website also has a Service Finder tool to point you to the right office, clinic or service near you.
What Legal Aid Ontario helps with
| Problem | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Criminal charge that could lead to jail | Legal Aid Ontario |
| Separation, parenting time or support | Legal Aid Ontario (family) |
| Domestic violence | Legal Aid Ontario; call 9-1-1 in an emergency |
| Eviction or problems with a landlord | Community legal clinic |
| Ontario Works or ODSP denied or cut off | Community legal clinic |
| Refugee or immigration matter | Legal Aid Ontario |
| Mental health hearing | Legal Aid Ontario |
| Court date tomorrow and no lawyer | Duty counsel at the courthouse |
Legal Aid Ontario also covers youth charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Whether you qualify depends on your income and your legal problem, so call and ask.
Community legal clinics
Community legal clinics are a big part of free legal help in Ontario. Legal Aid Ontario says clinics help with problems such as being denied Ontario Works or ODSP, other income supports, and eviction.
If your benefits were refused or stopped, do not wait. Decisions usually have deadlines for asking for a review or appeal. Our guides on how to apply for Ontario Works (opens in a new tab) and how to apply for ODSP (opens in a new tab) explain the review steps.
Duty counsel at court
Duty counsel are lawyers who can help people without a lawyer on the day they go to court. Legal Aid Ontario has a “Getting help at court” section and a tool to find a duty counsel office.
If you have a court date and no lawyer, arrive early and ask at the courthouse for duty counsel. Bring any papers you received about your case.
Student legal clinics
Legal Aid Ontario notes that student legal services organizations may also help if you qualify. Ask Legal Aid Ontario whether one can help with your problem.
What legal aid usually does not cover
Legal aid has limits. Not every problem is covered, and whether you qualify depends on your income and the kind of problem you have.
If Legal Aid Ontario cannot help, ask where else to turn. A community legal clinic, a student legal clinic or 2-1-1 may know another service that fits your situation.
How to prepare before you call
A little preparation helps the person on the phone understand your problem quickly.
- Write down what happened, with dates, in a short list.
- Gather letters, notices, court papers and emails about your problem.
- Note any deadlines on your papers, such as a hearing date.
- Have information about your income ready, because eligibility often depends on it.
- Keep a pen and paper close by to write down names and next steps.
If you are facing eviction
An eviction notice is frightening, and acting quickly matters. Contact a community legal clinic right away to understand your rights and options.
Keep paying what you can, keep every letter, and do not ignore hearing dates. If you need help finding services, call 2-1-1 or visit 211 Ontario (opens in a new tab).
Family and domestic violence
Legal Aid Ontario lists domestic violence and family matters among the problems it helps with, including separation, decision-making responsibility, support and parenting time. If you are in danger, call 9-1-1 first.
When it is safe, call Legal Aid Ontario to ask about legal advice or a lawyer. Shelters and community agencies can also help with safety planning; call 2-1-1 to find services near you.
Know your deadlines
Many legal problems have strict time limits. A tribunal hearing, a court date or a deadline to ask for a review can pass quickly, and missing one can make your problem much harder to fix.
Circle every date on your papers and call for help well before it arrives. If you are not sure what a letter means, bring it to a legal clinic or ask Legal Aid Ontario.
Watch out for fake legal help
Be careful with anyone who promises to “fix” a legal problem for an upfront fee, or who contacts you out of the blue. Check that you are dealing with Legal Aid Ontario, a legal clinic or a licensed lawyer or paralegal.
Our guide on how to spot a scam (opens in a new tab) lists warning signs to watch for.
Support while you sort it out
Legal trouble is stressful, and it often comes with money worries. Friendship House at 452 Grey Street offers free breakfast from 8 a.m., a hot meal Monday to Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., the Food Bank on Wednesdays (opens in a new tab) and the Clothing Closet (opens in a new tab), Tuesday to Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Everything is free and open to everyone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get free legal help in Ontario?
Call Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you qualify and have a covered legal problem, Legal Aid Ontario will pay for a lawyer.
Who can help me with an eviction in Ontario?
Community legal clinics help with eviction and housing problems. Contact one as soon as you receive a notice.
Can I get help if my Ontario Works or ODSP was denied?
Yes. Legal Aid Ontario says community legal clinics help with denied Ontario Works or ODSP and other income supports.
What is duty counsel?
Duty counsel are lawyers who help people without a lawyer on the day of their court appearance. Ask for them at the courthouse.
Does Legal Aid Ontario help in other languages?
Yes. Its phone line offers help in over 300 languages.
You do not have to face a legal problem alone. Make the call, bring your papers, and visit our free services at Friendship House (opens in a new tab) for a warm meal while you work it out.
