Extended Legal Assistance (ELA)
Family - clients with complex needs
Eligibility criteria for clients with complex needs
Extended Legal Assistance is available for clients who are determined to have complex needs.
Legal Aid NSW will be satisfied the client has complex needs where:
- The client is a client of the Domestic Violence Unit, and
- Legal Aid NSW has determined that the client has complex needs having regard to:
- whether they are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence
- whether they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- whether they are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- whether they are pregnant or have more than one child under 5 years
- whether they are a child
- whether they are at risk of having their child removed and taken into care
- whether they present with cultural issues that impact on their legal problem and language difficulties which make them vulnerable
- any uncertain immigration status
- any mental health problems, cognitive impairment or substance abuse issues
- any history of being in out-of-home care
- whether they have experienced sexual assault and/or other trauma
- whether they have experienced or are at risk of forced marriage.
Legal Aid NSW will make the assessment of complex needs based on these characteristics and experiences.
No Means Test applies to clients who have complex needs.