Emotional support animals are valuable companions for those suffering from mental afflictions like depression, anxiety, phobias, and more. For those who rely on an ESA to lessen the severity of their symptoms, an ESA letter is essential. Without one, you are not afforded the benefits of owning an emotional support animal, and it will be legally defined as a pet.
Getting an ESA letter can be difficult for those who are not familiar with the process, and the rise in forged letters has only added insult to injury for those struggling to find help. Even worse, many people are unaware of the legal limitations of an ESA and what they offer.
If you are concerned about an updated lease that requires a renewed letter, this article can provide sincere assistance. Do ESA letters expire? How long are they good for? How can an expired letter come back to bite you? This article will answer all questions and give you insight into how you can protect yourself from losing an emotional support animal.
A Brief Explanation of Emotional Support Animals
Even those who enjoy the many benefits of an emotional support animal may not be familiar with all that they offer. ESAs have been shown to improve the symptoms of people with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, and many more. They are not required to be trained, and they benefit people through their companionship.
It is important to note that service dogs and emotional support animals are distinctly different things, with service dogs being given far more legal permissions than their empathetic counterparts. Service dogs require specific training, such as mobility assistance, seizure or diabetic alert training, hearing assistance, and more.
Emotional support animals do not have to be one of the many helpful dog breeds that make up service positions, and can be any domesticated animal, with some individuals even choosing alligators. That being said, most landlords can reject an emotional support animal if it cannot be reasonably accommodated in their apartment in accordance with the Fair Housing Act.
Because of this, most people who live in densely populated buildings or complexes limit their emotional support animal to more compact creatures. Emotional support animals can bypass pet fees as well, as they are not legally considered a pet but a mental health asset in regard to housing.
Why ESA Letters Matter
ESA letters are the only thing that legally qualify a companion as an emotional support animal. Because of this, they are an absolute necessity for anyone who requires an animal to reduce the symptoms and severity of their mental or emotional ailments.
An ESA letter will outline an individual’s needs for an emotional support animal as recommended by their licensed mental health professional (LMHP). Typically, this will include the laws surrounding an emotional support animal and how the companion is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Act, and more.
Not all ESA letters are as valid as a business may claim, and individuals should be wary of any online service that does not require a consultation or offers an ESA letter that is valid for life. Always check the credentials of an LMHP to ensure that they are legally able to practice in your state.
Arkansas, California, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana require a 30-day relationship between a client and a mental health professional. Because of this, there will typically be a 30-day waiting period unless the individual already has an established relationship with an LMHP.
A typical ESA letter will feature the following:
- Client’s Name and confirmation of their disability.
- The license number, state of practice, and type of license of the mental health professional
- The date of issue
- The recommendation of an ESA by the doctor.
- The name, contact details, and office address of the LMHP
If any of these are omitted, there is a very good chance the letter is not above board. Unfortunately, once you have received an ESA letter, you have already provided payment. Because of this, we strongly recommend relying on reputable services and experts to avoid scams or stolen financial information.
Does an ESA Letter Expire?
An ESA letter usually expires one calendar year after it was issued. To avoid issues with landlords or the law, we strongly recommend getting your ESA letter renewed before it lapses. Failure to provide an active ESA letter can result in you losing ESA housing accommodations. It can even result in eviction if you cannot find a new home for the emotional support animal.
Some specific circumstances may require you to renew your ESA letter every six months instead. Be sure to check your state laws ahead of time before assuming that they are identical to federal guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions About ESA Letters
These are some of the more commonly asked questions that people have surrounding ESA letters and the renewal process.
How Do I Avoid ESA Letter Scams?
There are several ways to determine if you are dealing with a fraudulent business, particularly when looking for an ESA letter. If they do not sit down with you for a consultation with a mental health professional, you should look elsewhere. No legitimate mental health professional will write out an ESA letter without assessing the client’s condition first.
On the ESA letter, you should look for the following:
- Heading of the mental health experts’ practice
- Their license number, type of license, and the state in which they practice
- Your full legal name
- Their suggestion for an ESA and your qualification for one
ESA letters do not need to disclose your disability, and many will simply state the existence of it and the benefit an emotional support animal can provide.
Do I Need the Same Licensed Mental Health Professional for Renewal?
You can absolutely get an ESA letter renewed with a different mental health expert, though they will need to assess your individual disability or mental health ailment before renewal. They will also need to determine whether the emotional support animal still serves its purpose in reducing your symptoms or improving your condition.
Can I Renew an ESA Letter Online?
Yes! ESA letters can be renewed online if a licensed mental health professional offers an online service. Many businesses offer ESA letter specialists, though there are just as many fraudulent sites offering forged letters that will not only give you an invalid letter but also potentially steal your credit card information.
Always research a business before payment if you decide to get an ESA letter online.
How Long Is an ESA Letter Good For?
An ESA letter is typically good for one calendar year and will need to be renewed after that. Failure to do so can result in your ESA losing housing accommodations, and some living arrangements will require owners to renew biannually.
Expired ESA letters will not always immediately cause problems, and most landlords are not counting the days until they expire. That being said, you do not want to be caught enjoying the ESA privileges of the Fair Housing Act (and similar laws) without the legal documentation to back it up.
Do ESA Letters Expire? The Final Answer
ESA letters commonly expire after one year, with very specific exceptions for housing. You should always check your state’s laws regarding emotional support animals, as they can change regularly. An ESA letter is mandatory for individuals who want to classify their companion as a medical asset that is protected under laws like the Fair Housing Act instead of a pet.
Always be on the lookout for websites or services that advertise “lightning-quick” ESA letters or letters that are valid for longer than one calendar year. Similarly, do research into the credentials of the LMHPs to ensure that they can practice in your state and have the qualifications they claim to possess.
While landlords or other individuals may not always question a lapsed ESA letter, it can be a nightmare if you find that you don’t have a valid ESA letter when you need it. To avoid problems going forward – or when your landlord surprises you with an updated lease agreement – ensure your license stays renewed to avoid unwanted stress when unseen circumstances arise.