Can Homeless People Get Free PO Boxes? (Your Full Guide)

There are many people who are homeless in the United States. These people often don’t have a place to live, and they also often don’t have a place to receive mail. This can be a real problem because many important documents and letters come through the mail. Thankfully, there is a solution. Some post offices offer free PO boxes for homeless people! In this blog post, we will discuss how to get a free PO box for homeless people and what you can expect from this service.

Can Homeless People Get Free PO Boxes?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers free PO boxes for homeless people. This service is available at select post offices across the country. Those in need can go to their local post office and ask about the free PO box program. The USPS also has a toll-free number that people can call to find out if their local post office offers this program: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

How Can Homeless People Sign Up For A Free PO Box?

The Postal Service is dedicated to delivering mail not only to standard places like mailboxes or driveways but also to everywhere else in the United States. Not only is USPS constitutionally guaranteed to U.S. citizens, but it also works hard to make sure that the homeless population still has access to mail. That way, people in need can use their free PO box to receive important documents and letters. 

So, if you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness and needs a permanent place to receive mail, follow these steps to sign up for a free USPS PO BOX.

Visit Your Local Post Office

The first step is to visit your local post office and inquire about the free PO box program for homeless people. If they offer this service, they will be able to provide you with all the information and forms that you need to sign up for a free PO box.

Complete The Form

If the post office offers a Free PO box program, they will have a sign-up form that you will be asked to fill out. To sign up for a free USPS PO box, you need to fill out the PS form 1093. This is the same application form that is used for all PO box requests. The form will ask for basic information such as your name and address. You can provide the address of the post office where you would like to receive your mail to. 

Make sure to fill out the application as accurately as possible, and only write in the white space (the greyed-out area is for Post Office use).

Provide Your ID

The only way to get a free post office box is if you have a valid form of identification. This could be either a state-issued ID or driver’s license, passport, etc. If you don’t have any of these forms of identification, the Postmaster must still know who you are and be able to vouch for your identity. 

Provide a Valid Point of Contact

The form will also ask for a valid point of contact. This is someone who the post office can contact if there are any issues with your free PO box. This can be your friend, family member, or anyone else who can attest to your character. It is important to have a valid point of contact because it helps the Postmaster verify your identity and ensure that you are using the free PO box for its intended purpose. 

Submit the Form

After you have completed and signed the form, you will need to submit it to the Postmaster. Then, the local Postmaster reviews it and approves the requests. If everything is in order, they will assign you a free PO box and give you a key. 

Why Do Some Free USPS PO Box Applications Get Reject?

A USPS Free PO box application can be rejected for a few reasons. The most common reason is that the form was not filled out correctly or completely. Make sure to fill out the form accurately and completely to avoid any delays in getting your free PO box. 

Another reason why an application can be rejected is if the Postmaster is not able to verify the applicant’s identity. This is why it is important to have a valid form of identification and a point of contact who can vouch for your character. Additionally, without a point of contact, the Postmaster is much less likely to approve your request.

Sometimes free PO box requests are also rejected because the Post Office doesn’t have any available PO boxes. In this case, you can try visiting another Post Office or checking back at a later time.

What If Homeless People Don’t Meet the Requirements For A Free PO Box?

Those who don’t qualify for a free PO box may be eligible for General Delivery instead. 

General Delivery is a mail service that can provide you with a temporary mailing address. To put it simply, General Delivery allows you to use this mail service temporarily until you get your PO Box from USPS. All you need for this service is a valid ID. No application is necessary.

The only significant downside to using General Delivery rather than a PO box is that you can’t access your mail from General Delivery at any time – only during retail hours. However, although it may not be the most reliable method, General Delivery is free for homeless individuals to use as a temporary measure until a PO box becomes available.

Final Thoughts

So, it’s clear that the USPS is committed to helping homeless people, and one way they’re doing that is by offering free PO boxes to those who are eligible. So, if you or someone you know is homeless, take advantage of this program and register for a free PO box. Alternatively, check out the General Delivery option if in need. It could make all the difference in the world.

We hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!