Legal aid is legal assistance or advice that is provided by a specially established group, agency or organization for people with low earning.
By applying for legal aid it means that a person is asking for “legal aid” to represent them or to pay for the cost of a private lawyer to represent them in court. This is commonly referred as a “grant of legal aid”.
Legal aid is not free. Most people will have to pay a small contribution or donation to receive this service. The amount will depend on the person applying for aid’s financial situation, the area of law and the country they are in. It is common that when applying for legal assistant that certain criteria are to be met before he/she becomes eligible.
In most liberal democracy countries it believes that it is important to provide some level of legal aid to their citizens otherwise unable to afford any legal representation. By doing so it is not depriving a person access to a fair trial within the court system.
From another perspective, it would be a disadvantage in situations where the state or a wealthy individual took them to court. Hence, would breach the principles of equality before the law and in due process under the rule of the law.
By applying for legal aid it means that a person is asking for “legal aid” to represent them or to pay for the cost of a private lawyer to represent them in court. This is commonly referred as a “grant of legal aid”. 
In most liberal democracy countries it believes that it is important to provide some level of legal aid to their citizens otherwise unable to afford any legal representation. By doing so it is not depriving a person access to a fair trial within the court system.