MAIL Act

The MAIL Act allows unhoused or housing-unstable individuals with low incomes who receive specific federal assistance to rent free post office boxes. To qualify, eligible people must submit proof of their status, such as enrollment in Medicaid or participation in food assistance programs, to their local postmaster. The law requires the United States Postal Service to issue regulations for this program within a year and authorizes the agency to buy and maintain the necessary boxes. To cover the cost of lost rental fees and the expense of providing these boxes, the bill directs Congress to appropriate funds to the Postal Service annually. The Postmaster General must also submit an implementation plan within six months and provide progress reports every five years to Congress.