By OBAKENG MAJE
7 April 2025- The Legal Aid South Africa (Legal Aid SA) Means Test, used to determine if applicants qualify for legal aid, has been revised upwards to cater for increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). By adjusting the financial eligibility criteria, Legal Aid SA aims to support individuals and families who may otherwise struggle to afford legal representation.
The Legal Aid South Africa national spokesperson, Pateka Quwe said below is a summary of the new Means Test threshold:
Below is a summary of the new Means Test threshold:
| Matter type & applicant status | Previous threshold | New threshold |
| Criminal matters | R8,700.00 | R9,100.00 |
| Civil matters (Individual applicant) | R8,700.00 | R9,100.00 |
| Civil matters (Spouse/household) | R9,500.00 | R9,900.00 |
| Movable assets (household, no property) | R167,800.00 | R167,900.00 |
| Immovable & movable assets (Household, owns property) | R754,400.00 | R787,600.00 |
She said in criminal cases, children continue to automatically qualify for legal aid and do not have to take the Means Test. She further said if it is a civil case, the family of the child will need to take and pass the Means Test.
“The revised Means Test took effect from Tuesday, 1 April 2025, and will continue to be applied to all new applications received from this date onwards,” said Quwe.
The Guardian 