WHAT IS AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL (ESA)?
Emotional Support Animals provide emotional assistance to their handlers and may qualify as an ESA as long as the animal does not cause a disturbance or undue hardship for the property owner. Any domesticated animal of any age may qualify as an ESA and, unlike service dogs, these animals do not need any specific task-training. This is because their very presence reduces the symptoms associated with a person's psychological or emotional disability.
For a person to legally qualify for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), they must be considered emotionally disabled by a licensed mental health professional. This means the person must meet the criteria for a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5).
WHAT ARE MY LEGAL PROTECTIONS AND RIGHTS?
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 is the law that protects an emotionally disabled person and their ESA. The legal protections an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is to qualify for no-pet housing (that also includes limited size, breed, or species housing) without being charged a pet fee.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL ASSESSMENT FAQ:
*Due to recent changes to the Air Carrier Access Act, we no longer provide ESA assessments or letters for air travel.
Can I schedule an ESA evaluation if I live out of state?
To schedule, you must be in the state of Delaware at the time of your assessment.
Will I be under the care of a therapist?
Yes, but only during the assessment. We welcome you to continue individual therapy beyond the ESA evaluation if you and your therapist determine it would be beneficial.
When will I know if I meet the need for an ESA letter?
The evaluating clinician should be able to inform you at the end of the session. However, they may need to discuss your case with a clinical supervisor before making a decision.
Should I bring my animal to my assessment?
No. We ask that you do not bring your animal to the clinical interview. We do not assess the animal. Instead, we evaluate the individual for the need for an ESA. If you bring your animal, we will need to reschedule your appointment.
How much does the evaluation cost?
The total cost of an ESA evaluation is $150.
Does insurance cover the cost of an ESA assessment?
Not at this time. ESA evaluations are considered a specialty service and, therefore, not covered by medical insurance.
When will I receive my ESA letter?
If you meet the need for an emotional support animal, your letter will be sent to you by email within 72 business hours of your evaluation.
If my housing provider will not accept my ESA letter, can you make any revisions?
Yes. However, we are only able to make minor revisions to our letter as it contains all the required information per the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In rare cases, a housing provider may also request that we complete additional forms or include more information in an ESA letter. While you're certainly not obligated to provide specifics about your medical condition, we can add details upon your request. Form fees may apply.
Will you complete forms for housing?
Yes. If you meet the need for an emotional support animal, we can complete up to 2 single-page forms at no charge within 30 days of your appointment. After 30 days, the following fee schedule applies:
Form Length: Fee:
single-page forms $25
multi-page forms $140 per hour billed in 15-minute increments
A new ESA evaluation is required to complete any additional forms after 6 months.
