Unspent OAP funds: receipt rules, deadlines, and what to do if you cannot spend it

Generally eligible: ABA by OAP-registered providers, speech-language pathology (SLP) outside school, occupational therapy (OT) outside school, psychology and mental-health services, autism-specific group programs delivered clinically, caregiver coaching by registered clinicians.

Generally ineligible: tuition or private school fees, in-class educational assistants (school board responsibility), school-based SLP or OT (school board), recreational activities not delivered as therapy, equipment not tied to a clinical goal, services from non-OAP-registered providers, services already funded by another government program.

Parents consistently identify the same problem: OAP funding cannot be used at school, where many children need clinical support the most. The funding boundary between OAP (clinical, outside school) and the school board (in-school supports) creates a coverage gap.

Practical responses: schedule clinical services for before school, after school, evenings, weekends, and PA days; request school-board-funded supports separately through an IEP or IPRC process; or pay privately for in-school clinical support.

A valid OAP receipt typically includes: provider name and credentials, OAP provider registration number if applicable, service date(s), service description and duration, hourly rate, total cost, child's name, and proof of payment.

Submit receipts through the AccessOAP portal as services are completed — not all at once at the end of the period. OAP-registered providers issue OAP-compliant invoices automatically.

Check your balance quarterly. If you are 6 months in and have spent less than 30% of your allocation, build a plan now — not in month 11.

Common bottlenecks: provider waitlist, child illness, scheduling conflicts. Possible responses: telehealth ABA/OT/SLP (eligible in many cases), in-home services, expanded provider list.

Request an extension before the funding period ends. Contact AccessOAP at 1-833-425-2445 with a clear rationale and a plan for how funds will be used.