Kalsi Legal Aid · Who qualifies

Do you qualify for legal aid?

Two questions decide it, and for appeals a third. We answer them before any work starts.

Check if you qualifyMake a referral
Why it matters

Before you start

People give up before they check, often when they would have passed both tests.

Question 1

Is your case covered?

Legal aid for immigration covers:

  • claiming asylum or humanitarian protection, and appeals against refusal
  • fresh claims based on new evidence
  • children who are in the UK without a parent or guardian, for most immigration and citizenship applications
  • survivors of trafficking or modern slavery
  • people whose partner visa ended because of domestic abuse, applying to settle
  • people held in immigration detention, for bail and challenges to detention

We can also apply for exceptional case funding where a case is not usually covered but refusing legal aid would breach someone's human rights. We take deportation cases where they qualify. Ask us; we will tell you plainly whether it is worth applying.

Question 2

Do your finances fit?

The Legal Aid Agency looks at your income and your savings. The limits change, so we do not print them here; we check them on the day.

  • If you get asylum support (section 95 or section 4), you usually pass the money test for asylum and immigration advice.
  • If you get a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, the income check is usually simple; we still ask about savings.
  • If you work or have savings, tell us. You may still qualify.
Question 3

Is there enough chance of success?

For appeals and court cases there is also a merits test. We look at the decision and the evidence and tell you whether legal aid can cover it.

What to have ready

Documents

Your Home Office letters, any refusal letter, proof of asylum support or benefits if you have it, and your ID if you have it. Do not worry if you have nothing; tell us and we will work from there.

If you do not qualify

A clear next step either way.

We will tell you plainly and point you to other help. Not eligible for legal aid? Kalsi Legal, our private practice, may be able to help.

A clear answer on legal aid.

Two questions decide it. We answer both before any work starts.

Check if you qualifyMake a referral