For people suffering from emotional or mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, there are many tools available to manage their condition. Some people find support for their mental health through the presence of an emotional support animal (ESA).
An ESA is a type of assistance animal legally protected by federal and state housing laws. To qualify for an ESA, you need a signed letter (known as an ESA letter) from a licensed healthcare professional.
In this article, we will discuss what an ESA letter is and how you can get one from a doctor or therapist.
Why is an Emotional Support Letter necessary?
The federal law that gives people who have an emotional or mental health disability the right to reside with their emotional support animals is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). This law prohibits discrimination against residents with disabilities who need special accommodations in all 50 states.
Many states, such as California, New York, and Florida, also have their own rules protecting emotional support animals. These rules provide an additional layer of protection.
These laws recognize the important role that ESAs play in their owners’ lives. Individuals with emotional support animals are given special legal protections which allow them to reside with their ESAs — even in buildings that don’t normally allow pets.
ESA owners are also exempt from paying any pet deposits or fees. Emotional support animals are also exempt from breed and size restrictions.
ESA owners may live with their animals and enjoy these special rights because their animals are not considered pets. Instead, these animals are considered assistance animals that are vital for alleviating emotional or mental health symptoms.
To qualify for an ESA, one document is essential for coverage under ESA laws — an ESA letter. ESA laws allow landlords to verify a tenant’s genuine need for an emotional support animal by asking for an ESA letter.
Want to know if you qualify for an ESA? We can connect you with a licensed therapist online for your ESA letter consultation.
What is an Emotional Support Animal Letter?
An ESA letter is a signed document from a licensed mental health professional that confirms a person’s need for an emotional support animal. The letter is written on the healthcare professional’s letterhead and includes the following information:
- The healthcare professional’s license number and type (for example, psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed social worker, etc.).
- The date of license and the state where the professional’s license was issued. The license must be active and current.
- A statement that an ESA is necessary to alleviate symptoms of the individual’s mental health disability.
- The licensed professional’s signature and contact information.
Technically, an ESA letter is not a prescription; it is a recommendation letter from a healthcare professional. An ESA letter demonstrates a person has been evaluated and assessed for whether an emotional support animal is appropriate for them.
An ESA letter must come from a licensed healthcare professional. Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Urban Development and Housing state that an ESA letter can come from professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, primary healthcare providers, social workers, counselors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed healthcare professionals.
Can Anyone Get an ESA letter?
An ESA letter isn’t available to just anyone who wants one. However, if you have a serious emotional or mental health condition and feel that an emotional support animal can ease your symptoms, you may be a candidate.
In order to qualify for an emotional support animal, you must have a mental health disability, which means a condition that “substantially limits one or more major life activities.” ESA owners commonly have conditions like depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, learning disorders and/or autism. The condition must interfere with a “major life activity,” which means activities like the ability to sleep, work or learn.
It is up to a licensed healthcare professional to determine whether you meet this criterion. You cannot self-diagnose for purposes of obtaining an ESA recommendation. The therapist or primary healthcare provider must also believe that you would benefit from the presence of an emotional support animal.
How Do I Ask a Licensed Healthcare Professional for an ESA Letter?
Some healthcare professionals are unaware or unfamiliar with ESAs. Therefore, it may be up to you to bring up the topic of an ESA. For many, discussing mental health issues or a desire for an ESA with a doctor or other licensed professional can be intimidating.
If you are suffering from a mental health issue and believe an ESA might help, you should raise the issue directly. There are, unfortunately, still societal stigmas relating to mental health, but healthcare professionals are there to listen to you without judgment and make recommendations they believe are in your best interest.
It’s always best to be open and honest about your current condition and needs with your licensed healthcare professional.
If You’re Already Under the Care of a Licensed Professional
If you’re already under the care of a therapist or other licensed professional for your mental health, your existing provider is the best first point of contact. They will be familiar with your mental health and have some idea of your history.
You should be aware that not all therapists or other healthcare professionals will write ESA letters. That can be for various reasons, but typically it’s due to unfamiliarity with ESA rules. If your existing healthcare provider cannot assist you with an ESA letter, it can be helpful to find a health professional that specializes in ESAs.
If You’re Not Currently Seeing a Licensed Professional
If you aren’t currently under a therapist or other healthcare professional’s care, you may want to consider finding a licensed professional in your area that specializes in ESAs. You can also find many therapists that offer online telehealth services for ESA recommendations.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s guidelines specifically allow for ESA letters to come from telehealth professionals. In fact, during the pandemic, that was almost exclusively the method for how people were evaluated for ESA letters and other mental health recommendations.
The process for qualifying for an ESA will vary depending on the type of healthcare professional you use. Healthcare professionals will follow guidelines and best practices for their particular specialty and also utilize their professional judgment.
Obtaining an Emotional Support Letter Online
One benefit of getting an ESA letter online via telehealth with a licensed professional is that many people find it less intimidating. Rather than traveling to an office and speaking to a health professional in person, an individual can find help in the comfort of their own home.
Telehealth consultations are especially beneficial for people without access to transportation or who have busy lifestyles. You can find companies online that offer to connect you to an ESA professional.
When using these services, just be mindful that you are actually connected to an independent licensed healthcare professional. Beware of sites that sell certificates, registrations and ID cards for emotional support animals.
Remember, the only way to properly qualify for an emotional support animal is by having an ESA letter from a licensed healthcare professional who has evaluated your particular situation.
Asking for an ESA Letter
If you’re thinking about asking for an ESA letter, you should be commended! You’re taking a proactive step towards improving your mental health and making your well-being a priority. Asking a licensed healthcare professional for an ESA letter for many people can feel daunting, but you should never be afraid to explore potential ways to improve your mental health.
More and more people are recognizing the positive impact animals can have on our lives. Emotional support animals are so highly regarded they are protected by federal and state laws. You can’t benefit from these protections, however, unless you have a valid ESA letter which only a licensed healthcare professional can provide.
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