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OAP eligibility for refugee claimants, convention refugees, and protected persons - OHIP, residency, and status requirements explained.
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Ontario lists three OAP eligibility requirements: the child is under 18, lives in Ontario, and has a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional. Ask AccessOAP (1-833-425-2445) which documents it accepts. OHIP is separate: there is no longer an OHIP waiting period, and refugee claimants are covered by IFHP while their claim is pending.
Ask AccessOAP early which documents it accepts for proof of age, residency, and diagnosis, since the answer can depend on your family’s status. If your child was diagnosed outside Canada, ask AccessOAP what documentation it accepts and whether a certified translation is required, so you are not turned away over paperwork rather than eligibility. Call AccessOAP as soon as you can rather than waiting, since support is available in multiple languages and a care coordinator can walk you through registration directly. While an OHIP application is pending, ask what the federal Interim Federal Health Program covers in the meantime, since health coverage is not the same as OAP eligibility. If you are a resettled refugee, or a protected person with a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board, free IRCC-funded settlement services can help your family adapt to life in Canada alongside AccessOAP, so reach out to one early rather than managing every step alone.
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Published:
| Eligibility area | Existing guidance | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| OAP registration | Ontario lists three OAP eligibility requirements: under 18, lives in Ontario, and a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional. AccessOAP says health cards are not an accepted form of government-issued identification, so ask AccessOAP which documents it accepts for your family. OHIP eligibility for newcomers is separate and varies based on immigration status. | Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca); AccessOAP — eligible documents; ServiceOntario; IRCC |
| OHIP eligibility | Government-Assisted Refugees are generally eligible for OHIP, and there is no longer an OHIP waiting period. Confirm your own situation with ServiceOntario. | Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca); AccessOAP — eligible documents; ServiceOntario; IRCC |
| OHIP eligibility | Convention Refugees and Protected Persons are eligible for OHIP once permanent resident or protected person status is granted. Ontario removed the three-month waiting period in March 2020, so coverage starts once the application is approved. Confirm your own situation with ServiceOntario. | Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca); AccessOAP — eligible documents; ServiceOntario; IRCC |
| OHIP eligibility | Refugee Claimants are generally not OHIP-eligible while their claim is pending; the federal Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides basic health coverage during that time. Ask AccessOAP whether your child can register while your claim is pending. | Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca); AccessOAP — eligible documents; ServiceOntario; IRCC |
| OHIP eligibility | Privately Sponsored Refugees: confirm OHIP eligibility with ServiceOntario. There is no longer an OHIP waiting period. | Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca); AccessOAP — eligible documents; ServiceOntario; IRCC |
Step 1: Determine OHIP eligibility. Contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-268-1154.
Step 2: Apply for OHIP as soon as you arrive - Ontario removed the three-month waiting period in March 2020, so coverage starts once your application is approved. Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre and bring proof of immigration status, proof of Ontario residency, and proof of identity.
Step 3: Confirm your autism diagnosis. Ontario asks for a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional. Out-of-country diagnoses must be in English or French; a translation must come with the original and be done by a notarized translation company.
Step 4: Start at AccessOAP.ca or call AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm ET) as soon as you can. AccessOAP supports are available in multiple languages.
IRCC funds free settlement services for eligible newcomers, including resettled refugees and protected persons who received a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board. Find services near you at ircc.canada.ca.
| Source | What it supports | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca) | Eligibility: under 18, lives in Ontario, and a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional | 2026-09-28 |
| AccessOAP — eligible documents | Health cards are not an accepted form of government-issued identification; out-of-country diagnoses must be in English or French | 2026-09-28 |
| ServiceOntario | Apply for OHIP: "There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage." 1-800-268-1154 | 2026-09-28 |
| IRCC | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - Interim Federal Health Program | 2026-10-01 |
Ontario lists three OAP eligibility requirements: under 18, lives in Ontario, and a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional. Ask AccessOAP (1-833-425-2445) which documents it accepts for your family’s immigration status. Health coverage is separate: refugee claimants are covered by the federal IFHP while their claim is pending.
Ontario's OAP eligibility list does not include OHIP, and AccessOAP says health cards are not an accepted form of government-issued identification. Ask AccessOAP which documents it accepts for proof of age, residency, and diagnosis.
While a claim is pending, Refugee Claimants may be covered by the federal Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Once status is granted, apply for OHIP; there is no longer an OHIP waiting period.
Ontario lists three requirements: the child is under 18, lives in Ontario, and has a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional. The OAP waitlist position is based on the date of AccessOAP registration, so register as soon as you can.
AccessOAP accepts out-of-country diagnoses in English or French; a translation must come with the original and be done by a notarized translation company. Contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 before pursuing a new Canadian assessment.
Ontario Autism Program (ontario.ca)
Eligibility: under 18, lives in Ontario, and a written diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional
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AccessOAP — eligible documents
Health cards are not an accepted form of government-issued identification; out-of-country diagnoses must be in English or French
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Apply for OHIP: "There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage." 1-800-268-1154
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IRCC
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - Interim Federal Health Program
Every week of delay costs a week of waitlist position. AccessOAP supports are available in multiple languages.
OHIP, OAP registration, and the waitlist restart - what to expect when moving to Ontario with an autistic child.
Whether international autism diagnoses are accepted for Ontario OAP registration, including documentation requirements and steps when rejected.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: October 1, 2026.
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
As of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Open source record
Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.
Founder & Autism Advocate
Lived experience: Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system