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Pushing the Envelope Blog

Enabling Mail for People with Disabilities

Date: 08/01/22 | Category: Delivery & Collection

Did you know the U.S. Postal Service has a legally mandated program that allows blind or other physically handicapped people to send and receive certain types of mail at no charge? Established more than a century ago — well before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 — the program is known as Free Matter for the Blind.

What qualifies as Free Matter? Large-type (14-point or larger) documents, braille, audio recordings, and talking book players. When mailed domestically, Free Matter is to be treated as First-Class Mail, and packaging must remain unsealed so that USPS can inspect contents to ensure they’re eligible for postage-free mailing.

Congress recently asked us to review the Postal Service’s procedures for accepting, handling, and delivering Free Matter. We noted that USPS last updated its policy for Free Matter preparation in 2015, but we found that several Free Matter processes could be improved.

For instance, the Postal Service hasn’t implemented procedures for employees carrying out inspections to ensure contents are eligible. We also found that employees didn’t always know policies and procedures for accepting Free Matter, and Free Matter was sometimes processed as Parcel Post instead of First-Class Mail.

But as our audit report points out, things are indeed improving: Postal Service management agreed with two of our three recommendations and either proposed or already took actions that addressed our concerns in the third. For instance, USPS issued a nationwide alert to all retail units on the proper acceptance and mailing of Free Matter. Then, about two months later, management notified all processing operations about the importance of recognizing and properly handling Free Matter.

Have you or someone you know used this program? If so, please tell us about the experience.

Leave a Comment

Your Name
Brenda Stacer
Dec 5, 2022
Your Comment
My postal carrier is refusing to bring packages to my door. That were originally sent UPS. I am a disabled 70 year old woman. When its winter I can barely walk. What options do I have?
I've been disabled since 2014 on SS.
I live in a house not a government building.
  
Your Name
OIG Webmaster
Jan 17, 2023
Your Comment
Thank you for your comments. The OIG is an independent agency of the Postal Service and many of these issues fall outside of our jurisdiction. However, we do read all blog comments and pass on relevant information to our auditors and investigators. If you have not already done so, please try contacting your local Post Office. If you have already done that, try contacting USPS Customer Service, 1 (800) 275-8777, or to file an online complaint with Customer Service (and for frequently asked questions), go to the USPS Website and enter "Customer Service Help" in the search function.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Danielle Dottavio
Dec 4, 2022
Your Comment
I have been having issues with USPS for decades! I have heart lung issues that are aggravated by heat, bad air and well living in Arizona heat 8months out of the year and bad air for an unusually sensitive person more days than not. In my first home, I made USPS aware that it would likely be an issue getting to my box sometimes for longer than 5 days especially in Summer and sometimes in winter. That worked until they rotated deliverers, started having issues every few months despite telling the Office and several carriers. It got so tiresome I just stopped ordering things that shipped USPS and I cancelled a lot of mailers put up with that for a good 15 of 20 years at that address. At the new house the Carrier came to the door with a bunch of mail for someone else the day I moved in I had not had a chance to pick up mail key. She could see I was on oxygen and I explained to her my situation and she finished with “having to call every time they rotate.” Like someone below I cannot get my id with moved address on it because I have no key, don’t have a passport or any other id as I lost them in fire and was on lockdown for 2 years for Covid precaution. Now I keep seeing packages saying delivered but they clearly are not and not all are possibly going to fit in a box.Going to wait at the Office in person is risky too mobile o2 may not last, allergic to flu shot and I can wear a mask but it only makes breathing harder. Even knowing, they do absolutely nothing to assist those who need it and they wonder why other forms of shipping have been able to put a dent in their profits. They are failing to do their job and pass it off on their customers!
Your Name
amy keller
Dec 3, 2022
Your Comment
Sounds like a trap
Your Name
Wanda Anderson
Nov 18, 2022
Your Comment
I really need help my changed of address form is being destroyed by a employer of the postal service
  
Your Name
OIG Webmaster
Jan 17, 2023
Your Comment
Thanks for your message. The best thing to do would be to file an online complaint with our Hotline. You can access the online complaint form by visiting our Website, clicking the "Contact Us" tab on the top and selecting "Hotline." This will allow us to look into the matter for you.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Bob Lingane
Oct 19, 2022
Your Comment
I am 94 years of age. Live by my self. Do my shopping on line. I have peripheral neuropathy of both legs from the top of my knees to the ends of my toenails. No feeling and difficulty walking. I just purchased a three wheel walker to help me walk inside the house. I do not have the strength to walk to the mail box and back. It is about 200 hundred feet round trip.From what I read above, I know I am wasting my time writing to a government agency which my taxes help keep in shape but not to have the mail deliver. It can go straight to the trash bucket it is fine by me. I got my two cents in maybe one cent. I know the fat asses are going to do NOTHING. Thanks Bob Lingane.
Your Name
Stanley Parrish
Oct 2, 2022
Your Comment
I'm disabled and not getting any mail I can't go to the post office or go get a po box I need my social security mail
Your Name
Judith Cramer
Sep 22, 2022
Your Comment
I am the power of attorney for my brother who is in an assisted living home most likely permanent. He had an apartment and is no longer there. Why don't the local post offices have the change of address form anymore? I will not obtain online not because of the cost but because I do not want my card information given out on line. Where can I pick up the form?
Your Name
Lisa M Kays
Aug 21, 2022
Your Comment
I have physical disabilities and no transportation or funds for a computer or technical education and I've never heard of this program but it's a wonderful, productive idea.
Your Name
Louise Webster
Aug 18, 2022
Your Comment
I called the Matawan, NJ, Post Office the beginning of July/2022 and spoke with Louie. I explained that new mail boxes were installed on Park Ave and the Post Office’s driveway. For years we have been able to pull up to these 2 mail boxes & our mail letters. Now with the new mail boxes we can no longer do that because the opening to drop mail in is on the other side of the mail box. You actually have to exit your car and walk around to the other side of the mail box to mail anything. Louie told me they are aware that a mistake was made with the installation of the 2 boxes & when the correct boxes can be located they will be switched out and installed. Nothing has been done to rectify this problem. I wrote to the USPS on 7/26/2022. They assigned case number 40928004 to my complaint but again nothing has been done and today is 8/18/2022. This is a grave mistake and not fair to handicapped people who cannot easily exit their vehicles to mail letters and it needs to be rectified as soon as possible. What was the person thinking who installed these boxes incorrectly?! Please advise how quickly this error will be corrected.
Your Name
DONALD MARTOSKO
Aug 4, 2022
Your Comment
I live in an apartment complex that uses mailbox pods. I am also disabled in a wheelchair, and since the apartment management will not install a wheelchair ramp for me, I cannot travel to the mailbox pods to get my mail.

Because of this, post office delivers my mail right to my door. This is a wonderful benefit, but there is still a problem associated with it. If I get a new mail carrier, or if my mail carrier goes on vacation, or if my mail carrier takes a day off, the replacement carrier ( known as a floater), does not bring my mail to my door, and I have to ask someone to get the mail for me.

I have contacted my local post office about this problem, but they are either unable, or unwilling, to implement something that would ensure that my mail gets delivered to my door when these occasions arise. If anyone has credible advice to offer, please reply to this post.
  
Your Name
Ostralia
Sep 8, 2022
Your Comment
File a complaint with the DFEH against your landlord. They are definitely violating your right to access.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Tamika Evans
Aug 2, 2022
Your Comment
I think the postal service is doing very well good job guys 👍🏾 keep up the good work
Your Name
Shari Rich-Smith
Aug 2, 2022
Your Comment
I am disabled and would like to know more about what you offer. I am wheelchair bound and am unable to get to my mailbox. Plus I have medication sent by mail. Is it possible to have it delivered to my covered porch? Thank you.
  
Your Name
OIG Moderator
Aug 10, 2022
Your Comment
Thank you for contacting the USPS OIG. For more information on how to request door delivery due to a medical condition, please visit faq.usps.com and search “Hardship”.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

     
Your Name
Mary Bidwell
Oct 25, 2022
Your Comment
I have to submit the form to have mail home delivered. Have been homebound for years. What are the regulations for a mailbox outside the door of my apartment?

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

     
Your Name
Susan
Nov 15, 2022
Your Comment
OIG. YOU GUYS DO NOTHING. HARDSHIP FORMS DON'T HELP WHEN OLDER PEOPLE CAN'T GET OUT OF THEIR HOMES. WHAT PART OF THAT DONT YOU UNDERSTAND?JUST ANOTHER OIG PASSING THE BUCK AS OPPOSED TO HELPING SENIORS GET THEIR MAIL. FILLING OUT FORMS IS TIME CONSUMING AND NOT EVERYONE CAN GO TO A DOCTOR TO CONFIRM THEIR HARDSHIP. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THIS HAPPENS IN USA. AND NOT ALL SENIORS HOMEBOUND HAVE FAMILY, FRIENDS OR NEIGHBORS THAT CAN HELP ALL THE TIME OR AT ALL!!! I KNOW MANY THAT ARE NOT GETTING THEIR MAIL FOR MONTHS AT A TIME. WHY DONT YOU CONTACT ME AND I'LL TELL YOU WHO AND WHERE AND MAYBE YOU CAN ACTUALLY HELP GET THEIR MAIL TO THEM!! ALL THEIR MAIL.! NOT JUST ONE PIECE. I KNOW PEOPLE THAT ARE MISSING HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF MAIL BASED ON THEIR INFORMED DELIVERY AND THAT MAIL IS NOT BEING DELIVERED TO THEIR HOUSE WHERE IT SHOULD BE!!! THESE SENIORS HAVE A RIGHT, A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THEIR MAIL. PERIOD. LISA

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Linda M Craig
Feb 20, 2023
Your Comment
I have become disabled and can no longer go down my reclining driveway. Can I put up a mailbox on my porch or by my garage door?