Emotional support animal (ESA) letters are essential documents for individuals who wish to live alongside their ESA and take advantage of federally protected housing rights. However, when it comes to obtaining your ESA letter, you may be confused about the specifics of this letter, how to obtain one, and whether or not your letter expires. Our article tells you more about ESA letters, including whether or not these letters expire once you have been prescribed one.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is a letter that is written by a mental healthcare provider licensed in your state. This letter is given to you after your provider has evaluated your need for an ESA and approved you for the addition of an ESA to your treatment plan. Within your ESA letter, your provider will state your need for a support animal and verify that they are involved in the treatment of your medical condition. Your provider will then add some details about their licensing and practice, and they will sign the letter.
Every individual who wishes to live with their emotional support animal in any reasonable area of housing must have a valid ESA letter. This letter must be written by a licensed mental healthcare provider, and you cannot write your own letter or simply print one off of the internet.
A valid ESA letter is key to taking advantage of the housing protections that federal and state laws outline.
Who Needs an ESA Letter?
Individuals with qualifying mental health conditions or disabilities who need the comfort and support of an emotional support animal must have a valid ESA letter. If you want to live with your ESA in your chosen housing and avoid pet rent, pet fees, and general pet and breed restrictions, an ESA letter is essential.
Without an official ESA letter, your support animal will legally be treated like a pet, and you will be required to adhere to any of the rules and regulations that pets in your chosen housing face.
Does an ESA Letter Expire?
It is possible for an ESA letter to expire. The specifics surrounding expiration dates for ESA letters do come down to state law, however, and it’s important that you double-check with any state ESA laws, so you know what applies to your situation.
In general, your ESA letter will expire one year after your mental healthcare provider writes it. This means that you will need to check in with your provider at least once a year to ensure that your emotional support animal is still a necessary part of your healthcare plan.
However, you should keep in mind that some states have laws stating you need a relationship with your provider for at least thirty days before you are eligible for an ESA letter, and you may need to maintain this relationship throughout the year to be eligible for a renewed ESA letter once your current one expires.
Steps for Obtaining a Valid ESA Letter
When it comes to obtaining a valid ESA letter, there are a few simple steps you will need to keep in mind. We list these below so you have a good understanding of this process:
- Make an appointment with a doctor or mental healthcare provider licensed in your state
- Speak to your provider about your needs and let them evaluate your suitability for an ESA
- If your ESA is approved, wait for your provider to give you an ESA letter
- Use your ESA letter to request housing accommodations
- Keep the expiration date of your ESA letter in mind and follow up with your provider for a renewal when necessary
Remember that state laws do vary, and there may be more steps and additional specifications to keep in mind when obtaining an ESA letter in your state.
Can My ESA Letter Be Denied?
Your ESA letter can be denied. However, this will only happen in specific circumstances where your accommodations request might be unreasonable, such as attempting to live with an exotic animal or an animal that cannot be safely cared for in an apartment unit, or when your ESA is destructive, aggressive, or a threat to themselves and others.
You can check laws in your state as well as the reasoning for your ESA letter denial to understand what your next steps should be.
Keeping Your ESA at Your Side
Keeping your emotional support animal at your side is essential for many individuals who benefit daily from their companions. An ESA letter is a key part of this process, and you will need to make sure you understand any applicable expiration dates and state laws surrounding your ESA letter. Speak to your mental healthcare provider for more information or to request an emotional support animal for your treatment plan.
