A homeless person can get mail delivery access through the free PO boxes organized by the United States Postal Service (USPS). This service is made available to homeless persons who do not have permanent residence.
Requirements for the Homeless before they can access this service
Below are the necessary documents to have before applying for the free PO boxes;
A valid form of identification such as state-issued ID, Driver’s license, national passport, etc. In a situation where none of the above-listed documents is available, you have to ensure the Window Clerk or Postmaster can vouch for you. A valid point of contact for the post office to contact you. It could be through a family member or reliable friend’s email, address, or phone number. You can also submit the address of the place of employment, charity organizations, social services office, shelter, etc. as a point of contact
In case you change your address or lose contact with the person whose contact details you submitted at the Post Office, you need to notify the Postmaster of the change.
The Application Process
After ensuring that you have met the above-listed requirements, the next step is to fill out an application form. The application form (PS form 1093) can be gotten online via the USPS website or physically at the post office. After filling out the application form, you will have to submit it to the local post office together with your means of identification will also be examined. The next thing is to wait for approval from the Postmaster. After your application has been approved, you will be notified about it.
Can my Application be denied?
Yes, your application for a free PO box can be denied. If you do not meet up with any of the needed requirements for getting a free PO box.
Advantage of the Free PO Boxes
Advantages of allowing the homeless get access to free mail delivery include;
Getting access to important information and benefits
A lot of homeless people often find themselves stuck in a situation where they do not get access to needed information that can help them get benefits like healthcare, housing, jobs, and basic support. With the availability of free PO boxes, many homeless persons would be able to receive and send emails. In the process of this, they might be able to get quick help out of their situation.
Record keeping
Getting homeless people to use emails is a way the American government can get the data of homeless people in the country. A lot of the homeless cannot be easily tracked because they do not have a specific location they stay but with the use of the free PO Boxes, some important Data about them or their guardian would be taken note of. Although not all, at least a high percentage of them would be using the free PO boxes. This way, the government through the USPS can track the homeless.
Is there a Disadvantage?
The only disadvantage I can pick out of this is the fact that in a case where a homeless person does not have the necessary documents and decides to fill in the address of a close friend or family if there happens to be a change of address from them, it will result in the homeless person having to look for another address to fill out in the Post office.
Is it Possible to Receive a Mail without an Address?
Understandably, many of the homeless people in the US might not have a place to stay. That is why the USPS has worked on improving their mail delivery service to help the homeless get access to mail. To be able to receive mail without having an address, the homeless person will have to indicate it while applying for a free PO box. Also, the Postmaster must approve the application.
Conclusion
The free PO boxes are made available to homeless persons in the US who can meet up the requirements for the application. Those requirements include providing valid identification, a valid point of contact, and being known by the Postmaster.
- How long does it take to get a free PO box?
It doesn’t take much time, once you have met the requirements, the Postmaster will approve your application.
- I don’t have a home; what address can I use in my application?
Not to worry, you can use the address of a family, close friend, a charity organization or shelter.
