An emotional support animal (ESA) letter is a legal document that confirms an individual’s medical need for an ESA. It is prescribed by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) and entitles the individual and their animal to certain protections. This includes housing rights under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA).
Unfortunately, there has been a recent surge in ESA letter scams throughout the US. A fake ESA letter is not always easy to spot straight away, but once you know what to look for, it becomes evident. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and ensure you obtain an ESA letter through legitimate means.
If an ESA letter is not authentic, your animal will still be treated as a pet, and you will not be entitled to the FHA housing rights. You may even face legal ramifications, especially if you live in a state where falsified documentation or misrepresenting a pet as an ESA is a crime.
To help ensure you’re not caught out by scams and are fully protected, we’ll discuss what an ESA letter looks like when it’s genuine. We’ll then touch on the common signs of a fake ESA letter and how to get an ESA letter legally.
What Does an ESA Letter Look Like?
A genuine emotional support animal letter is printed on the LMHP’s official letterhead. It will contain the issue date and your name, followed by a statement that confirms you have a legitimate need for an ESA.
The exact phrasing can vary. Some LMHPs may simply state that you have been prescribed an ESA for your disability following an evaluation, while others may include more detail, like the species of your ESA and direct references to the FHA law. The specifics of your condition will not be disclosed to protect your privacy.
Alongside this statement, a legitimate ESA letter will include the following details:
- Your name
- The LMHP’s name and contact details
- The LMHP’s license information
- The signature of the LMHP
The provided license details must be verifiable. The license number should trace to an active license and confirm the LMHP is legally permitted to practice in the state you reside in.
How Do I Spot a Fake ESA Letter?
A fake ESA letter may be convincing at first glance, but it quickly falls apart under scrutiny. Here are the telltale signs of a fake ESA letter:
- The ESA letter is not printed on official letterhead
- Missing key details (e.g., no issue date or license number)
- A statement that is vague and does not emphasize the individual’s legitimate need
- Claims that the ESA has also been “certified” or “registered” (neither is required per federal law)
- The letter has not been signed
Be mindful that some fake ESA letters may include forged license information. It’s always important to verify the license’s authenticity.
Even if the license is genuine, you should check the state it permits the LMHP to practice in. To be valid, an ESA letter must be prescribed by an LMHP who is licensed in your state.
How Do I Get an ESA Letter?
Getting a valid ESA letter isn’t as simple as filling out an online form. To get a legally valid ESA letter, you must have a diagnosed mental health disability and undergo an ESA evaluation with an LMHP. Here’s a quick look at the steps involved:
1. Check Your Eligibility
You must have a mental health condition that has been officially diagnosed. It must be recognized by the DSM-5 and affect one or more areas of your life.
2. Schedule an ESA Appointment
Find an LMHP who is licensed to practice in your state and arrange an ESA appointment with them. This can be done in-person at the LMHP’s practice, or you can arrange it via telehealth through a reputable third-party ESA letter provider.
3. Attend the ESA Appointment
The LMHP will evaluate your disability, needs, medical history, and more to determine if an ESA is appropriate. If they feel that an ESA would be a beneficial treatment, they will make it an official prescription and give you an ESA letter.
Check Your State’s ESA Laws
While the process generally stays the same no matter where you reside, some states have additional ESA-specific legislation.
For example, states including Arkansas, Montana, and California require you to have a 30-day client-provider relationship with the LMHP. This means you will need to attend regular sessions with them for at least 30 days before you can receive your ESA letter.
What Does an ESA Letter Look Like? A Final Recap
An ESA letter is a legal document that, at a minimum, must contain the LMHP’s license details and a statement that confirms you have a disability and have been prescribed an ESA. It should also be printed on official letterhead and be signed by the LMHP.
Find an LMHP who is licensed to practice in your state and arrange an ESA appointment with them. This can be done in-person at the LMHP’s practice, or you can arrange it via telehealth through a reputable third-party ESA letter provider.
Any ESA letter that misses this key information, or has been obtained without an ESA evaluation with a state-licensed medical professional, is fake.
