Free Po Box For Homeless People (All You Need To Know)
The United States will have more than half of a million homeless in 2021. Regular mail delivery is an obstacle that many homeless individuals face.
Can A Homeless Person Get A Free USPS PO Box In 2022?
Since 2022, homeless individuals without a permanent home can receive free US Postal Service PO boxes. Requesters must submit an application along with proof of identification. Then, the local Postmaster approves the requests. Those who don’t qualify for a free PO box may instead be eligible for General Delivery.
What is the best way to sign up for a free USPS PO box?
The Postal Service’s commitment to delivering mail to every address in the United States extends beyond just mailboxes or driveways.
This federal agency, which is constitutionally guaranteed for U.S citizens, works also to make sure that homeless people have mail access.
The first thing to do if you, or your loved one, are in homelessness is filling out an application.
Despite this, all requests for PO boxes are processed using the same form, which is PS Form 1093.
Also, it’s important to fill out this application to the best of your ability, sticking to the white space (the greyed-out area is for Post Office use only).
You will then need to go to your local Post Office to submit the application. Do this as you need to talk to the postmaster at that location.
Another area in your application to be cautious about is the identification portion.
A homeless person’s eligibility is more difficult than a non-homeless applicant because it recognizes how hard it can be for those with ID to get one.
These are the requirements for those who apply to get a FREE PO box because of homelessness.
You have a valid form of ID (state-issued ID or driver’s license, passport, etc. ).
If you don’t have proof of identity, the Postmaster will know you and can verify that you are authentic.
A valid contact point is available for you to be reached by the Post Office when needed ( your cell phone number or an email address)
Additionally, you may use a phone number of a reliable friend, a place of employment, a shelter or charity institution, or your social services office.
If you have given the Post Office one point of contact, say a friend’s phone number, but then no longer have access to it, you must go in and inform the Postmaster of the change.
After approval, you will get a box with a key and an identification code. Some Post Offices are more busy than others and have 24 hour access to the lobby as well as PO boxes.
But, you can check online at USPS.com to see what your hours of access will be.
Furthermore, If you have access to the internet and an email address you can sign-up for Informed Delivery.
This way you will be able to see the delivery even if your mailbox is not accessible every day.
What Happens if A Homeless Person Doesn’t Meet the Requirements for A Free POBox?
Even if the homeless don’t fulfill all requirements to receive a free POBox, there is still hope. The Postmaster, for example, can set them up with general delivery.
However, general delivery is used by many types of individuals with different lifestyles.
General Delivery allows customers to pick up mail from the Post Office at any of its various locations.
The main disadvantage of General Delivery over a PO Box is that PO boxes can be accessed at all times, while General Delivery cannot be accessed during retail hours.
Still, General Delivery is a free service to the homeless population and can be used in the meantime while waiting for a PO box to free up.
See our similar posts for more details: USPS Delivers to PO Boxes, How Much a USPS Po Box Costs, Proof of Delivery in USPS.
The USPS is aware of the issues surrounding homelessness and the impact it has on access to the things that others have taken for granted.
The Postal Service strives to ensure dignity and equality by offering PO boxes and General Delivery services for homeless people.
.Free Po Box For Homeless People (All You Need To Know)