CUSTOMERS are furious after USPS scrapped a vital mail delivery program, leaving residents without timely mail for months.
The change has sparked outrage, as late bills, missed paychecks, and expensive reconnection fees pile up for many in the community.
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In Clio, South Carolina, residents living on Calhoun Street are at the center of the disruption.
For years, the USPS had provided Group E PO Boxes to residents in the area due to the lack of street delivery.
Now, in a controversial move, the postal service is transitioning to street delivery, ending the free Group E program, reported ABC local affiliate WPDE.
Natasha Miles, a resident of Calhoun Street, said the sudden shift is causing chaos.
“I have gotten my water bill late. One month, it was so late that my water almost got turned off. I had to pay a reconnection fee. That’s money I shouldn’t have had to spend,” Miles said.
“This has really hurt me financially.”
Town councilman Sammy McCollum echoed her frustration, saying residents were caught off guard by the USPS decision.
“I’m looking for medicine stuff to come in through the mail. Can’t get it. I’m going back to Florence to the VA. Excuse the expression, raising sand. Asking why haven’t y’all sent my medicine? And they’re telling me we have sent it, ” McCollum said.
He explained to the postmaster that the abrupt change is creating significant issues for the community.
“By being one of the council members, I was telling her that she’s putting a burden on the people of the town,” McCollum said.
The problem is widespread, with many in the community reporting delayed or undelivered mail.
Some have even had trouble getting critical medicine sent to them.
“I’m waiting for my prescription to come in the mail. I’ve had to go to the VA in Florence, and even then, I can’t get any answers,” McCollum said.
The USPS says the change is due to “growth” in the area and insists it’s a step toward improving service.
But locals argue that it’s causing more problems than it’s solving.
What to do when mail is missing
Step 1: Check the Current Status
Before you begin your search, if your package or mail has tracking, check USPS Tracking to see its current status.
Step 2: Complete a Help Request Form
Complete the USPS online help request form before you start a missing mail search. Please use a desktop computer to submit your form.
Your request will be forwarded to your local Post Office facility to help locate any missing items.
Step 3: Submit a Missing Mail Search Request
If after 7 business days from when you submitted your online help request form your mail or package hasn’t arrived, submit a Missing Mail search request with the following information:
- Sender mailing address
- Recipient mailing address
- Size and type of container or envelope you used
- Identifying information such as your USPS Tracking number(s), the mailing date from your mailing receipt, or Click-N-Ship label receipt
- Description of the contents such as what it is and the brand, model, color, or size, if applicable
- Pictures that could help us recognize your item
Step 4: Start your missing mail search
“Due to continuing growth in the area, we are transitioning from Group E PO Boxes to street delivery. Customers were notified in advance and can choose to continue using a PO Box for a fee,” A USPS spokesperson told WPDE.
The change is scheduled to take full effect on March 31, with residents being advised to install approved mail receptacles to continue receiving mail.
However, many in Clio say they can’t afford the added expense of new mailboxes or the cost of PO Box rentals.
Miles has opted to have her mail forwarded to her relative’s address.
While USPS insists it’s a service upgrade, Clio residents argue they’re the ones paying the price.
