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THE US Postal Service has been forced into damage control after mountains of mail sat untouched for weeks at a key processing hub.
Furious residents in Mississippi have been left waiting for vital letters, bills, and packages as postal bosses scramble to fix the chaos.
USPS leaders admitted to the crisis and sent top officials to the embattled Jackson Processing Facility to tackle the growing backlog, reported the Mississippi Free Press.
The mail meltdown sparked an urgent probe from lawmakers, with US Representative Bennie Thompson demanding answers.
“My office has been made aware of the persistent mail delays which have caused significant inconvenience to residents and businesses,” the Mississippi Democrat said.
The disruptions first made headlines in February when frustrated locals spoke out about missing mail.
“I haven’t even seen some bills that I normally get right about now,” Jackson resident Faye Taylor told NBC local affiliate WLBT on February 10.
In response, USPS deployed the Regional Processing Vice President and senior directors to Jackson to “bring plant operations current.”
Officials are throwing overtime hours and extra manpower at the issue to clear the mail mountain.
“We look forward to reports of a strong service recovery in the near term,” USPS spokesperson James Stotts told Mississippi Free Press.
Despite the agency’s efforts, Thompson remains skeptical, warning that delays are hitting families, businesses, and those relying on Social Security checks and medication.
“Timely mail delivery is critical,” he said.
Terry Scott, a USPS spokesperson, confirmed that postal service leaders have been on-site this week to address the crisis and get operations back on track, ABC local affiliate WAPT reported.
“The U.S. Postal Service has also committed to increased overtime and a heightened focus on mail and packages destined for ZIP codes served by the Jackson facility,” Scott said in a statement released by Rep. Thompson’s office
“My office will continue to monitor this situation.”
USPS has assured voters that the mess won’t impact mail-in ballots for this year’s municipal elections.
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
“The Postal Service will fulfill our role in the electoral process,” Stotts stated, urging voters to send ballots early to avoid issues.
“For additional information, see the 2022 and 2024 Election Mail reports,” Stotts said.
“If you are eligible to vote by mail and choose to do so, you should plan ahead to give yourself enough time to complete and return your ballot by your state’s deadlines.”
Jackson’s mail nightmare comes as President Donald Trump considers a major shakeup of USPS leadership.
Trump is considering axing the agency’s bipartisan board of governors and handing control to his Commerce Secretary pick, Howard Lutnick.
The proposed shake-up would put the entire Postal Service under a single Trump appointee.
The move could dramatically shift how USPS operates.
For now, Jackson residents remain stuck in mail limbo as officials race to clean up the mess.