Emotional support animals saw a significant increase in popularity. It is thought that more than two hundred thousand individuals struggling with a mental disability enjoy the therapeutic benefits of their emotional support animals.
A part of the reason for this boom in popularity is the benefits that emotional support animals have. The federal law protects the housing rights of emotional support animals under the Fair Housing Act, allowing them to live with their owners, even if the owner’s lease or rental agreement has a no-pet clause.
While the law is there to protect those who actually have and need an emotional support animal, their benefits also attracted those who don’t need an emotional support animal but want to get the same benefits. Consequently, it led to an increase in fake ESA letters, which are not only illegal but also make life much more complicated for emotional support animal owners by causing the public to be skeptical of legitimate ESA claims.
In this article, you will learn all about a fake ESA letter. We will cover how you can tell whether an ESA letter is fake, the consequences of using a fake ESA letter, and everything you need to know about getting a legitimate ESA letter.
What Is an ESA Letter?
An ESA letter is essentially the same as any other prescription written by a doctor, as the licensed mental health professionals recommend an emotional support animal as part of the treatment to help alleviate the symptoms of psychiatric disabilities. Those who have it can then use it to request accommodation for their emotional support animals.
An ESA letter is a must-have for an animal to be an emotional support animal. In fact, it is the only document an animal needs. As long as someone has a valid ESA letter from a mental health professional licensed in their state, they will have everything they need for their animal.
How to Spot a Fake ESA Letter?
It is fairly easy to spot a fake ESA letter. All emotional support animal letters have certain details that fake ones often miss. This includes the mental health professional’s full name, license number, the type of license they have, and their state. If any of these are missing, there is no doubt that you’re looking at a fake ESA letter.
The same applies to “ESA letters” from non-US providers. A legitimate ESA letter must come from a mental health professional licensed in the holder’s state. An ESA letter from another state doesn’t necessarily mean it is fake. In fact, once an ESA letter is issued, it is valid in all 50 states.
Consequences of Using a Fake ESA Letter
Even though it might not look like it at first, the consequences of using a fake ESA letter are severe. Many states have specific laws that penalize misrepresenting pets as assistance animals, including as an emotional support animal. While most states have fines that range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, some consider a fake ESA letter misdemeanor charges.
Submitting a fake ESA letter to a landlord knowingly can also be considered fraud, which is punishable by fines or even criminal charges, depending on the state. Upon knowing, housing providers can also take civil action if they suffer damages because of the false claim, like the animal causing property damage or disturbing other tenants.
Fake ESA Letter: How to Get a Legitimate ESA Letter?
Emotional support animals are for those who are struggling with a mental disability. Therefore, you must have a qualifying mental disability. Some of the most common conditions that qualify for an emotional support animal include depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder.
Naturally, you need to speak with a mental health professional licensed in your state to get an ESA letter. If your mental health worker decides that an emotional support animal will be a good option for your treatment, they will issue an ESA letter. If you already have a pet and see positive improvements when they are around or when you take care of them, they likely will write you one.
However, this is an oversimplification of how you can get an ESA letter. We recommend reading more in-depth ESA guides before you attempt to obtain an ESA letter from a mental health professional.
Also Read: A Reference Letter Sample for Job Applications: What Employers Really Want
