I have to agree that once you run out of money the lawyers want nothing to do with you .
I was able to get a legal aid grant for the last time i took the dept to court however it would seenm that the lawyers who will accept a legal aid client are either not very experinced or not very strong lawyers, I know that when we were in the court room my lawyer couldnt even get a full sentance out before the magistrate would cut her off and move to something else!