HealifyNow vs Support Pets: Which ESA Letter Service Is Right for You? (2026)

HealifyNow provides some of the services discussed in this article. Our content is written to inform, and clinical decisions are always made by a licensed clinician.

When searching for an ESA letter online, one will come across many websites. HealifyNow and Support Pets are two such examples that help people receive their ESA letters through licensed professionals from the comfort of their homes. The two use different evaluation methods, and that distinction may prove to be important for people living in particular states or dealing with careful landlords.

In this guide, we will analyze how both websites compare to each other in terms of the evaluation method, prices, turnaround time, refund policy, state handling, and additional features.

Quick Comparison

The Biggest Difference: How You’re Evaluated

HealifyNow has the component of live conversation. You get to speak to a licensed clinician through phone/video call; they discuss your symptoms and how your pet supports you, and then determine if they should draft the letter for you.

Support Pets follows an assessment-driven process. You need to fill out an online form, and your responses are reviewed by a licensed physician. Third party reviews suggest that a live conversation/visit through phone/video is not included in their standard process, even though Support Pets claims that licensed professionals review every case through an assessment before documentation.

Why this matters:

• Certain states also require more than a simple questionnaire. California needs an already existing client-provider relationship of at least 30 days; other states reportedly have similar requirements. Florida and Colorado have certain criteria for evaluation; the information may vary among sources.
• Landlords will scrutinize letters more thoroughly. With HUD reducing the enforcement of ESAs in 2026, landlords are becoming more attentive to documentation. A letter that is based on a real-time evaluation is usually more justifiable.
• A conversation may reveal certain issues. A live conversation allows a provider to ask certain questions and verify your needs.

An assessment letter is also legitimate in those states where no such requirements exist. Ask any service provider how their process corresponds to your state’s laws and whether a live assessment is important for you.

Pricing

HealifyNow: The price of $129 can cover up to 2 pets, while $199 will cover 3 or more pets. A PSD letter costs $149 if there are 2 or fewer dogs, whereas 3 dogs cost $229. The price is the same in all states.

Support Pets: From a third-party review, $112 is the cost for a housing or travel letter for one pet, while $224 is the combined cost. There is a price match guarantee worth up to $100.

Things to compare:

• Your total cost based on how many animals you own and renewal charges, if applicable
• What exactly you are paying for. A typical travel ESA letter does not grant you air-travel rights, as airlines consider ESAs pets from 2021 onwards. For most customers, the housing letter will be the important one.
• Payment before or after approval

Speed

• HealifyNow: Approximately 10 minutes after approval, after an initial evaluation
• Support Pets: Typically delivered within 48 hours

Both can be quick, depending on whether there is a waiting period in the state. In California and other states where the 30-day relationship is required, it takes 30 days.

Refunds and Guarantees

HealifyNow: Since you will be charged for your letter only if the provider accepts it, there’s no refund in case of non-acceptance of your letter. In all other refund cases, see the refund policy.

Support Pets: Provides a money-back guarantee; however, according to one of the review pages, there is a $30 doctor consultation charge excluded from the refund amount. Please read all details before making a purchase.

Questions to ask any provider: Is there any guarantee for landlord refusal? What kind of documents should be submitted? How can one request a refund? How long will it take?

Transparency About the Clinicians

Clinicians are named on HealifyNow’s ESA page, and you can check the license numbers on state board websites. According to a competitor’s comparison, Support Pets does not list its team members or clinicians on its website. Whichever service provider you use, you should be able to know the person who has evaluated you and his or her license.

State Rules and Waiting Periods

There may be some special regulations in some states regarding the ESA letters. For example, in California, there should be an existing client-provider relationship of at least 30 days in order to write the letter.

• HealifyNow handles California by issuing a letter of intent after your call and your ESA letter after a day-30 follow-up.
• Support Pets says it serves clients nationwide. Ask how its process meets your state’s rules.

See our guides to California ESA letter requirements and Texas ESA letter requirements.

Service Dog Letters

Whereas a dog is trained individually to assist in certain tasks related to a mental illness, a PSD letter is more likely to be suitable than an ESA letter.

• HealifyNow provides PSD letters starting from $149 per dog, up to 2, for housing and workplace accommodation requests where the dog is task trained.
• According to reports, Support Pets provides PSD letters, at times via partnerships.

Task training is what makes a service dog, not a letter or certification, which is not required by the ADA. Check out a guide on a service dog letter from a physician.

Reviews and Reputation

Both businesses have third-party reviews featured prominently. Support Pets has a lot of reviews on Trustpilot, while HealifyNow shows its review badges from multiple websites. Self-reporting badges are just the beginning; therefore,

• Look at recent reviews online, both positive and negative
• Identify any trends regarding refunds, communication, and acceptance by landlords of the letters
• See how they react to complaints
• Keep in mind that reviews are personal experiences

Who Might Prefer Which?

You might lean toward HealifyNow if you:

• Want a live conversation with a licensed clinician
• Live in a state with a relationship or evaluation requirement
• Want named clinicians you can verify
• Prefer to pay only if you’re approved
• Want ESA and PSD letters from the same provider

You might lean toward Support Pets if you:

• Want an assessment-based process with no scheduled call
• Are comfortable with a questionnaire review and live in a state that doesn’t require more
• Are drawn to a lower reported base price and the price-match offer
• Want an optional auto-renewal
• Neither choice is right for everyone. Compare current terms before you decide.

What No ESA Letter Provider Can Promise

On May 15th, 2026, HUD withdrew its older guidance on ESAs and stated that it would only go after complaints on housing issues in cases where the animal is individually trained to aid a disability. The law did not change, and neither does state law, but it could mean that the landlord will look at the ESA application in more detail, which is why:

• The landlord cannot be assured.
• State law becomes even more significant. Several states such as Florida, Utah, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Arizona, and Nevada have well-established state-level ESA legislation.
• Landlords may not waive the pet fee.
• Evaluation and written application are vital.

How to Choose an ESA Provider: A Checklist

• Licensed professionals who have permission to treat you in your state
• A legitimate evaluation, preferably face-to-face, and that follows the guidelines in your state
• Fees, with pricing available for more than one animal and renewal fees as well
• Compliance in your state, particularly if you live in California or other states with a wait period
• Refund policy, and what happens if you aren’t approved or your landlord doesn’t want to accept the letter
• Identifiable clinicians that you can verify their licenses
• Customer service to assist in case your landlord requests verification
• Everything included in the letter: license number, date, signature, and contact information
• No attempt to sell any kind of registration, IDs, or vests
• Testimonials from people not associated with the site

Red Flags With Any ESA Provider

Be cautious if a website:

• Promises instant approval or guaranteed approval
• Doesn’t show that a licensed professional will evaluate you
• Sells “ESA registration,” certificates, ID cards, or vests as legal proof
• Claims landlords “must” accept its letter and waive every fee
• Promises your ESA can fly in the cabin
• Adds surprise fees at checkout
• Has no clear contact details, refund policy, or privacy policy

Final Thoughts

Both HealifyNow and Support Pets provide online pathways for obtaining an ESA letter, yet their main difference lies in how the evaluation process is carried out – HealifyNow provides a brief online evaluation with a specified clinician, whereas Support Pets requires going through an assessment-based process. In case you reside in a state with particular requirements, or in the event that you need a more defensible ESA letter, a live evaluation may well be worth the effort. Whatever choice you make, it would be prudent to check prices and refund policies as well as your state’s requirements.

Ready to see how HealifyNow works? Book a free consultation or visit our ESA letter page to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)