Ongoing requirements after receiving an ESA letter depend on your state of residence and the regulations set by your housing agency or landlord.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) have grown in popularity as a non-traditional way to support your mental health. With studies showing the therapeutic effect of animals, the demand for ESAs and ESA letters is at an all-time high. But the question then becomes, “How do you get qualified for an ESA?”
Fortunately, learning if you qualify for an ESA is easy and straightforward. The process begins with seeking a licensed mental health professional who will support you by diagnosing your mental health disorder or emotional disability and offering a professional opinion on whether an ESA is the right fit.
Here, we’ll look at how to qualify for an emotional support animal and get your ESA letter in a few easy steps.
What Does It Mean to Qualify for an ESA?
If you get emotional and therapeutic support from having an animal present, you likely qualify for an emotional support animal (ESA). All this means is that you are eligible for a letter that protects you and your pet from housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.
So, if your pet is a major source of emotional support or provides significant relief from the symptoms of a mental disability, your ESA letter ensures you can live in no-pet apartments or waive added pet fees (within reason). Though an ESA letter does not give you the right to take your animal everywhere, it ensures you get housing accommodation for your ESA.
Step 1: Determine If You Have a Qualifying Mental Health Condition
Some mental health conditions will likely qualify you for an emotional support animal. Of course, the final way to ascertain your need is by meeting with a licensed mental health provider (LMHP) and demonstrating your need for an ESA.
Conditions that May Qualify
Though there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to ESA letters, generally they’re given to people with mental health conditions that affect one’s daily life. If an ESA can help alleviate your symptoms, you should consider contacting an LMHP to verify your need for an ESA!
Some common conditions that may qualify include, but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Phobias
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic stress
Step 2: Understanding the Role of ESAs in Mental Health
Emotional support animals play an important role in mental health by providing emotional support and companionship. What makes them different from other service animals, like psychiatric service dogs, is that their benefit comes from their presence alone.
Studies show that having an animal around the house can help people feel less lonely, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve overall well-being. Though the benefits and effects of ESAs differ from person to person, the bottom line remains true—the presence of an ESA in your life can significantly improve your mental health.
Emotional and Therapeutic Support
Emotional support animals assist their owners by providing emotional and therapeutic support. This can appear as reducing physical symptoms of anxiety, making you feel more responsible by having an animal to care for, or by being there for you even when you’re deep in feelings of depression. Through their presence and non judgmental companionship, ESAs offer immense support to their owners.
It’s important to know that ESAs are not service animals. Ultimately, service animals assist their owners with physical tasks, whereas ESAs offer emotional support. For a service animal to become a service animal, they must complete rigorous training and meet certification requirements. ESAs simply need a letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Step 3: Schedule a Consultation with a Licensed Mental Health Professional
You must meet one-on-one with a licensed mental health professional to get your ESA letter. Remember, you can only get a legally valid ESA letter from a LMHP. Both in-person and virtual appointments are acceptable when it comes to your consultation. What matters most is that the LMHP you meet with is licensed in your state and certified by an established organization.
Third-party services like Pettable connect you with licensed mental health professionals. If you go through one of these platforms, your session will likely be virtual and with a LMHP that the company has vetted for expertise. Be wary of companies that don’t have the licensing information of their mental health professionals listed online. These scams have started to appear more frequently as ESAs become more popular.
Step 4: How the ESA Evaluation Process Works
When your scheduled consultation rolls around, come prepared to discuss your mental health history, symptoms, and how an ESA supports you. Everything shared during your consultation is confidential and will never be shared without your permission. So, be yourself, and feel free to be honest about your experiences.
By the end of your appointment, your LMHP will determine whether you qualify for an ESA. Depending on your state’s emotional support animal laws, you may need to meet with the same LMHP a couple more times to meet state-specific requirements. However, for most states, this initial consultation is satisfactory.
Step 5: Obtaining Your ESA Letter
If your LMHP thinks you qualify for an ESA, they’ll write you an emotional support animal letter. If your consultation is in person, they may even write it for you on the spot! In most cases, though, you will receive your letter within three weeks.
Pettable and other ESA letter services guarantee faster turnaround times. However, companies promoting immediate turnaround times should be avoided! 24 to 48 hours is a reasonable turnaround window to look for.
Components of a Legitimate ESA Letter
A legally valid ESA letter must have the following components:
- LMHP’s credentials, license number, and contact info
- LMHP’s letterhead
- Statement verifying your need for an ESA
- Signature
- Date of consultation
Without these components, your letter is not legally valid. Make sure these elements are present in the letter when you receive it!
What Happens After You Receive Your ESA Letter?
Once you receive your ESA letter, it’s time to share it with your landlord or other housing authority. You can email or call them to let them know that you qualify for an emotional support animal and need accommodation for your pet.
Even if you’re already living in the unit you need accommodation for, it’s important to give your landlord a heads up that you need an ESA. You don’t want your landlord to think you’re sneaking a pet in without paying a pet fee or going behind their back. Be upfront with your needs to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Legal Protections and Housing Considerations
The Fair Housing Act protects ESAs, which means you don’t have to pay pet fees or can’t be refused housing in a no-pet building. Of course, this is all within reason. If having an ESA in the unit brings undue financial burden or disrupts the building, they have grounds to reject your ESA letter.
An ESA letter provides a significant amount of protection for people with mental health conditions. However, it does not protect your ESA on planes or in public places. Some airlines allow ESAs onboard for an added fee. When it comes to public places like restaurants, grocery stores, and shopping centers, an ESA letter does not permit your animal to enter unless it’s a pet-friendly space.
Conclusion
Qualifying for an ESA is a straightforward process when it’s all said and done. If you feel you need an ESA, the first, and perhaps most important, step is to make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional. Based on your consultation with an LMHP, you’ll know whether you qualify for an ESA.
Emotional support animals give their owners incredible emotional and physical benefits, providing relief from the symptoms of their mental illness. Even if you’re unsure whether an ESA is the right choice for you, speaking with an LMHP is the best way to understand how they can become a part of your mental health care and push you closer toward overall wellness.
FAQs
What conditions qualify for an ESA?
Anyone who derives emotional and therapeutic support from their animal may qualify for an ESA letter. Common mental health conditions that can benefit from an emotional support animal include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic stress, and bipolar disorder. The presence of an ESA can provide comfort and alleviate symptoms associated with these conditions. However, it’s essential to consult a licensed mental health professional to discuss your specific situation and receive a proper diagnosis, which is necessary for obtaining an ESA letter.
Do I need a diagnosis to get an ESA letter?
Yes, obtaining an ESA letter requires a diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional. This professional must assess your mental or emotional health condition to confirm that you have a qualifying disability. The ESA letter serves as formal documentation stating that you need an emotional support animal to help alleviate symptoms related to your condition. Without a diagnosis, the letter may not hold legal weight, so it’s crucial to have a professional evaluate your needs before seeking an ESA letter.
Can I qualify for an ESA through an online consultation?
Yes, you can qualify for an ESA through an online consultation, provided you work with a legitimate third-party service. As the popularity of emotional support animals increases, so do the scams associated with obtaining ESA letters. To ensure you receive a valid letter, choose reputable telehealth platforms like Pettable, which connect you with licensed mental health professionals for virtual evaluations. This approach simplifies the process and helps you avoid the hassle of vetting various online sources while ensuring you receive the necessary documentation.
How long does the process take?
The time it takes to obtain an ESA letter varies depending on your state and the provider you choose. In some cases, the process can be completed as quickly as 24 hours, especially when using a reputable telehealth service. However, it may take longer in certain states due to specific regulations or if additional documentation is needed. Generally, you should expect the entire process to take anywhere from a day up to 30 days. It’s essential to plan ahead and be patient as you navigate the process.
Are there any ongoing requirements after receiving an ESA letter?
Ongoing requirements after receiving an ESA letter depend on your state of residence and the regulations set by your housing agency or landlord. In some situations, you may need to obtain a new ESA letter annually to maintain your rights to have an emotional support animal in your residence. Additionally, you should ensure that your animal remains well-behaved and does not cause disturbances, as this could affect your rights as a tenant. Always check with your housing provider for specific policies regarding ESA documentation.
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