Legal aid is available for this type of problem

However, you may need to also qualify financially.

If you do qualify financially, you can speak to Civil Legal Advice (CLA), a national helpline for certain legal aid problems in England and Wales.

The CLA operator will check all the information you’ve given through this service.

What you need to check if you qualify financially

You and your partner (if you have one) will need:

  • recent payslips (if you’re working) and bank statements
  • a summary of your income tax and National Insurance contributions
  • details of any savings and investments you have
  • details of any benefits you receive
  • mortgage statements and a current valuation for any property you own

When you do not need to complete the financial assessment

You should contact CLA without completing the financial assessment if you are:

  • under 18
  • have capital trapped in a property you own or other money or assets that you cannot access

If you use British Sign Language (BSL)

You can choose not to complete the financial assessment online, and instead ask for a call with a BSL interpreter.

Fill in the 'Contact CLA' page. Select 'BSL' under 'Communication needs'.

Before you start

Alternatively, you can ask a legal aid adviser to take on your case.

Your adviser will check whether you qualify for legal aid at no cost to you by asking about your problem and your finances. If you qualify, in some cases you may need to pay a contribution towards your legal aid.

Find a legal adviser

Other sources of help

You can also get advice from alternative help organisations for issues related to community care. You don’t have to qualify for legal aid.

  • Care Quality Commission

    The CQC is the new health and adult social care regulator for England. It aims to ensure better care for everyone in hospital, in a care home or at home. You can contact the CQC for advice on making a complaint about a health or social care provider.

    Helpline:
    0300 061 6161, 0300 061 6161
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5:30pm,

  • Disability Law Service

    The Disability Law Service (DLS) provides information and advice to disabled people. DLS is run by and for disabled people as an independent, national registered charity. Disabled people and their families, carers and advocates can call the helpline for advice.

    Helpline:
    020 7791 9800, 020 7791 9800

  • Independent Age

    General information, advice and support for older people, their families and carers.

    Helpline:
    0800 319 6789, 0845 262 1863
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm
    Email:

  • GOV.UK

    Public services information, online tools and signposting to all government services.

  • Independent Age

    General information, advice and support for older people, their families and carers.

    Helpline:
    0800 319 6789, 0845 262 1863
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm
    Email:

  • Care Quality Commission

    The CQC is the new health and adult social care regulator for England. It aims to ensure better care for everyone in hospital, in a care home or at home. You can contact the CQC for advice on making a complaint about a health or social care provider.

    Helpline:
    0300 061 6161, 0300 061 6161
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5:30pm,

  • Disability Law Service

    The Disability Law Service (DLS) provides information and advice to disabled people. DLS is run by and for disabled people as an independent, national registered charity. Disabled people and their families, carers and advocates can call the helpline for advice.

    Helpline:
    020 7791 9800, 020 7791 9800

  • Equality Advisory Support Service

    Equality, Advisory and Support Service (EASS) offers personalised advice on discrimination issues throughout the UK. It will help people who are not eligible for legal aid to find an accessible legal service or to prepare and lodge a claim themselves. If you have an employment discrimination problem, please speak to ACAS before you call EASS.

    Helpline:
    0808 800 0082, 0808 800 0084 (Textphone), 0808 800 0082
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 9am - 8pm Saturday, 10am - 2pm