The following is a from the Legal Services Society website explaining new improvements to accessing their services. You can get more information at www.lss.bc.ca "LSS raises financially eligibility for people who need child protection services The Legal Services Society (LSS) has increased the financial eligibility guidelines for child protection services. This is to improve the accessibility of legal aid when a child has been removed or is at risk of being removed from their home by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. LSS provides lawyers to about 2,300 people with child protection cases each year. With its severe consequences on families, LSS is hoping the higher income cut-off will mean more people get a lawyer�??s assistance when there are concerns that a child is in need of protection. The financially eligibility guidelines for child protection (CFCSA) matters have increased by $1000 for each household size. The change became effective as of September 27, 2018. See the new income chart here. By increasing the guidelines, LSS now has consistent financial eligibility criteria for all its child protection representation services, including LSS�??s Parents Legal Centres. Household assets An intake legal assistant at your local office will look at the value of your assets to determine your financial eligibility for legal aid. Assets are things you own, such as: - property, - cash, -RRSPs, -a boat, or -a car. There are five different asset categories: - family home, - real property (other than the family home), - vehicles, - business assets, - personal property, and - RRSPs. Each category has different limits. The intake legal assistant will usually consider your assets as disposable (able to be sold) with some exceptions. If you own land, you must provide us with a recent BC Assessment document and an up-to-date mortgage statement. Household income Your net monthly income must be below the amount for your household size in the table below. The guidelines apply to all types of cases, with increased guidelines for child protection cases. Only a legal intake assistant can determine if you're financially eligible for legal aid. The following information is not complete. Net household monthly income table Household size CFCSA cases All other cases (Child Protection) 1 $2,580 $1,580 2 $3,210 $2,210 3 $3,840 $2,840 4 $4,470 $3,470 5 $5,100 $4,100 6 $5,730 $4,730 7 or more $6,360 $5,360 LSS Call Centre (legal aid applications) Greater Vancouver: 604-408-2172 Elsewhere in BC: 1-866-577-2525 Hours 9:00 am �?? 4:00 pm (Mon., Tue., Thu., and Fri.) 9:00 am �?? 2:30 pm (Wed.) LSS administration (general inquiries only) Greater Vancouver: 604-601-6000 400 �?? 510 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8 Hours 8:30 am �?? 4:30 pm (Mon. through Fri.)" www.lss.bc.ca
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