An emotional support animal (ESA) letter supports housing accommodations under the Fair Housing Act.
What is an ESA letter?
An ESA letter is a document written by a licensed mental health professional confirming that a patient has a diagnosed mental health condition and that an emotional support animal is part of their treatment plan. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), an ESA letter allows patients to live with their emotional support animal in housing with a no-pet policy, and landlords cannot charge pet deposits or fees for an ESA.
ESA letters from EKM Psychiatry are for housing purposes only. As of 2021, ESAs are no longer protected for air travel and are treated as regular pets by airlines.
EKM Psychiatry can only write ESA letters for established patients with a documented treatment history at this practice. We do not provide ESA letters based on a single visit or without adequate clinical documentation to support the recommendation.
Who qualifies?
EKM Psychiatry may complete an ESA letter when all of the following conditions are met:
You must
- Be an active patient at EKM Psychiatry
- Have a documented mental health diagnosis
- Have an established treatment history at this practice
- Be current on all outstanding balances
- Have clinical documentation supporting the ESA recommendation
We cannot
- Write letters for patients not currently in treatment
- Guarantee letter approval for all requests
- Backdate letters or documentation
- Write letters without clinical support in the record
- Guarantee acceptance by any specific landlord or housing provider
Information to have ready
About you
- Full legal name and date of birth
- Current address
- Email address for correspondence
About your animal
- Animal type (dog, cat, etc.)
- Animal’s name
- Breed (if applicable)
About your housing
- Landlord or property management name
- Landlord contact info or email
- Any deadline for submission
Fees and timeline
- A fee applies. Our team will confirm the amount after reviewing your request.
- Fee is due before work begins
- Standard turnaround: 5–10 business days
- Rush processing available — additional fee
- Payment via patient portal invoice
How it works
- Send your requestUse the form below, or call or send us a secure message. Have your landlord’s contact information and any filing deadline ready.
- Administrative reviewOur team will review your request within 2–3 business days to confirm eligibility and whether sufficient clinical documentation exists to support the letter.
- Invoice and paymentYou will receive an invoice by email. Payment must be completed before work begins. Fees are non-refundable once the letter has been drafted.
- Clinical review and completionYour provider will review your record and complete the letter within the standard processing timeframe. A clinical appointment may be required prior to completion.
- DeliveryYour completed ESA letter will be sent directly to you or to your landlord, depending on the instructions you provide.
Prefer to talk to us? Call (518) 703-6840.