Financial Planning

RESP Planning Considerations for Ontario Autism Families

Registered Education Savings Plans can still help when the education path is uncertain. Before withdrawing or transferring money, confirm the school, program, and plan rules with the RESP promoter.

$1,100 (with grant room)

Maximum CESG per year

Accumulated income payment

RESP to RDSP rollover

$3,500

Maximum CDSG per year (RDSP)

35 years (40 for specified plan)

RESP plan expiry

Figures above: CRA

Guide values reviewed . Program amounts and eligibility can change; confirm them with the administering agency.

Qualifying Educational Programs

RESP withdrawals depend on the institution, the program, and the student's enrolment status. Ask the promoter to confirm the exact program before enrolment or withdrawal.

Do not assume a whole category qualifies. College, trade, university, private, and continuing-education programs can have different RESP treatment.

RESP to RDSP Rollover

Some RESP accumulated income may be transferable to an RDSP for the same beneficiary. The rules are narrow and can require Disability Tax Credit eligibility, residency, plan-holder consent, and specific impairment or plan-age conditions.

An RESP-to-RDSP transfer can reduce RDSP contribution room. It also has grant and bond consequences. Get written instructions from the RESP promoter before closing or transferring a plan.

Strategy Considerations

Some families use both an RESP and an RDSP, but the right order depends on income, Disability Tax Credit status, grants, bonds, and education plans. Confirm the current rules before contributing.

When making RESP withdrawals, coordinate with any OAP funding or other disability-related financial support the student receives. RESP Educational Assistance Payments (EAPs) are taxable income in the student's hands, which may affect certain income-tested benefits.

Evidence and sources

1

Employment and Social Development Canada

RESP eligible-school checks and qualifying post-secondary program rules

2

Canada Revenue Agency

RESP accumulated income payment and RDSP rollover rules

Frequently asked questions

1

Should I open an RESP if my child may not attend post-secondary?

Maybe. RESPs can help if your child later attends a qualifying program. If plans change, ask the promoter about contribution withdrawals, grant and bond repayment, accumulated income, RRSP transfers, and possible RDSP transfer rules.

2

What happens to the RESP if my child cannot attend any post-secondary program?

Ask the RESP promoter for written options before acting. A transfer, withdrawal, beneficiary change, or plan closure can affect grants, bonds, tax, and the RDSP contribution room.

3

Do college certificate programs qualify for RESP withdrawals?

Ask your RESP promoter to confirm the exact institution, program, and enrolment status. Do this before you count on an Educational Assistance Payment.

Verified References & Sources

Updated:

Government Reports & Data

  • [2024]
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: Spending Plan ReviewVerified FAO Data
    Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) • Report • 2024-06-05
    View
  • [2026]
    Ontario Autism Program figures as of May 13, 2026 (MCCSS, released under Freedom of Information to the Ontario Autism Coalition; published in the OAC "OAP At A Glance" update, July 2026)Verified FAO Data
    Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ontario), obtained by the Ontario Autism Coalition • Report • 2026-05-13
    View

Official Organizations

  • [2023]
    Autism Spectrum Disorders Fact SheetOfficial Source
    World Health Organization (WHO) • Official • 2023-11-15
    View

Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.

Financial Resources

Where the waitlist stands

Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.

See where the waitlist standsEmail Your MPP
Citable source facts(1)Question-and-answer pairs with their source and verification link.

What official government data tracks the Ontario autism waitlist?

Verified

Primary sources include Financial Accountability Office (FAO) annual reports, Ontario Auditor General reviews, Ontario Human Rights Commission policy statements, publicly available FOI data, and AccessOAP program data. Latest FOI data (May 2026) shows 91,974 registered children with only 22.5% having active funding agreements (up from 70,176 registered in the FAO 2023-24 report).

Source: FAO, Auditor General, OHRC, MCCSS FOI May 2026 · Verify Link

About This Article

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Founder & Autism Advocate

Parent of autistic child navigating OAP system