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An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that offers companionship, comfort, and therapeutic benefits to patients with psychiatric or mental health disabilities. ESAs can help you with mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic stress, panic attacks, depression, or anxiety.
During this guide, you’ll find out what ESAs are, if you can get an ESA letter online for depression or anxiety, if online ESA letters are legitimate, who qualifies for an ESA letter, if different states have different ESA requirements, tips for choosing a provider for an ESA letter online, and more. Find a licensed provider on Klarity Health and get a telehealth appointment with a licensed healthcare provider within 24 hours.
Disclaimer: Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Can I get an ESA letter online for anxiety or depression?
Yes, you can get an ESA letter online for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, as long as a licensed mental healthcare provider (LMHP) deems it medically appropriate for you.
ESAs are different from service animals. Service animals are trained to perform specific activities and tasks to help patients with disabilities. ESAs, on the other hand, don’t need any specific training and can be any animal that’s legally allowed to be kept as a pet. A LMHP needs to prescribe the ESA as part of the patient’s treatment plan.
ESAs are protected in the U.S. under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act. This act says that patients with ESAs might be exempt from specific federal housing and travel regulations. These rules and regulations include pet deposit fees and living in housing that typically doesn’t allow pets. ESAs usually need to have basic training, including being potty-trained and not aggressive.
Are online ESA letters legitimate?
Yes, online ESA letters can be legitimate, but some online ESA letters are illegitimate. To be a legitimate online ESA letter, the letter needs to be written by an LMHP who is licensed in your state. The LMHP needs to evaluate and diagnose you with a mental health condition during the online consultation. The letter also needs to meet state and federal requirements, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state rules and regulations.
Who qualifies for an ESA letter?
To qualify for an ESA letter, you need to have a psychiatric or mental health disability that an LMHP has evaluated and diagnosed. These psychiatric or mental health disabilities include PTSD, ADHD, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and more. The LMHP can give you a prescription letter that specifies and details your need for an ESA, also called an ESA letter.
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Chat with a licensed professional to find out if you’re eligible for an ESA letter for anxiety or depression
Do different states have different ESA requirements?
Yes, different states have different ESA requirements, including the process for getting an ESA letter. Some states have particular requirements for the language used in an ESA letter, how long the patient has been seeing the LMHP who writes the letter, and if the LMHP must have a pre-existing relationship with the patient. For instance, Iowa and California require that the patient have a 30-day relationship with an LMHP before issuing an ESA letter, but Illinois doesn’t require a pre-existing relationship.
Although the states have different requirements, the FHA applies to all states and says that landlords need to accommodate people with legitimate ESA letters, regardless of whether or not the landlord has a no-pet policy. States can typically only clarify implementation processes or add extra protections. Local housing practices aren’t enforceable if they contradict federal law.
What is the online ESA letter process?
Here is the process for getting an ESA letter online:
- Choose a reputable online provider. Look for a telehealth platform, such as Klarity Health, with licensed mental healthcare providers that offer ESA letters for qualified patients with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, or panic attacks. You can read reviews to make sure the ESA providers are legitimate.
- Book a telehealth consultation. Schedule an online consultation with a licensed mental healthcare provider who can help figure out if you qualify for an ESA and provide you with an ESA letter if it’s deemed medically appropriate.
- Undergo clinical assessment. During your clinical assessment, you can discuss your mental health history and needs with your provider. You can also answer questions from your provider about your current symptoms and how a pet would help you manage your mental health condition.
- Receive your ESA letter. If your provider believes you qualify for an ESA, the LMHP can write an ESA letter that says an ESA is medically necessary for therapeutic purposes. You can typically get your ESA letter within 1 to 3 business days. Some providers might have longer turnaround times.
- Renew annually. The FHA doesn’t note a specific expiration date for ESA letters, but it’s typically recommended to renew your ESA letter on an annual basis. Renewing your ESA letter annually can help you make sure to get emotional support and avoid any housing issues.
Have people successfully gotten an ESA letter online?
Yes, people have successfully gotten an ESA letter online. Here are some comments from Reddit users who have successfully received online ESA letters:
- “I got my letter 6 months ago through a verified site, and it’s been accepted everywhere I’ve needed to use it.”
- “The detailed intake process showed me I was dealing with real professionals who knew their stuff… They demanded medical records, comprehensive questionnaires about my symptoms, and several consultations before approving my request.”
- “I used [an] online service and got a letter in 24 hours… [My] landlord accepted it, no questions asked.”
- “My [online therapist] was able to write me an ESA letter after we’d been working together for a while.”
- “I had a thorough evaluation with a licensed psychologist and got a letter that my apartment accepted immediately.”
- “My letter has been accepted by multiple airlines and housing providers without any issues.”
Tips for choosing a provider for an ESA letter
Here are some tips for choosing a licensed healthcare provider for an ESA letter:
- Confirm the provider’s license info and state of licensure. Make sure the LMHP has a proper licensing number and information before booking an appointment with them.
- Make sure a telehealth assessment is included. To ensure the platform is legitimate, it’s important to make sure that you’ll go through a telehealth assessment to discuss your mental health symptoms and history.
- Check user reviews, BBB ratings, and the policy on refunds. Check out all of the user reviews to make sure that other patients have had success getting legitimate ESA letters from this provider. You can also check out their Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and the refund policy in case you find that the provider isn’t legitimate.
- Look for state-specific compliance. Make sure the licensed telehealth provider complies with regulations in your state, particularly if you live in California, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, or Montana.
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Key takeaways
Here are some of the key takeaways:
- You can get an ESA letter online for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, as long as a licensed mental healthcare provider (LMHP) deems it medically appropriate for you.
- ESAs are protected in the U.S. under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Air Carrier Access Act.
- Online ESA letters can be legitimate, but some online ESA letters are illegitimate. To be a legitimate online ESA letter, the letter needs to be written by an LMHP who is licensed in your state.
- To qualify for an ESA letter, you need to have a psychiatric or mental health disability that an LMHP has evaluated and diagnosed.
- Different states have different ESA requirements, including the process for getting an ESA letter.
Need an ESA prescription online?
With Klarity Health, getting an ESA prescription online from a licensed healthcare provider is fast, simple, and convenient. You can simply connect with a licensed healthcare provider from the comfort of your own home and receive quality medical care in as little as 24 hours.
FAQs
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
