anchor: In the past, they would have had to report their spouse's income and that would be included in determining whether they were eligible to get legal help, whether they had access to that money or not, she said. 
positive: They would have had to report their spouse's income in the past, and that would be included in determining whether they were eligible to get legal help, whether they had access to that money or not, she said.
negative: In the past, they never had to report their income and pay taxes, but nowadays it's a nightmare!