MAIL Act
Sponsored By: Senator Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
Free post office boxes for unhoused and housing-unstable people is the central goal of the MAIL Act. The bill would tie eligibility to low income or enrollment in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, Section 8, and public housing and would authorize federal payments to reimburse the Postal Service for lost box fees and costs.
Show full summary
- Families and individuals: Unhoused and housing-unstable people who meet income or program criteria could get a free post office box, subject to box availability. Eligibility links to the poverty line or participation in specific federal, state, or local assistance programs.
- Postal Service operations: USPS would be reimbursed via annual appropriations for lost box revenue and for extra costs such as buying and installing boxes, retail reconfiguration, equipment, and additional staffing. Appropriations are set to begin in fiscal year 2027 and continue each year thereafter.
- Oversight and implementation: The Postmaster General would need to submit an implementation plan within 180 days and then report on box provision every 5 years.
*Would increase federal spending by authorizing annual appropriations to reimburse the Postal Service for forgone box fees and related costs.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Money to reimburse Postal Service
If enacted, beginning in fiscal year 2027 and each year after, the Postmaster General would calculate and submit to Congress an annual funding request equal to lost PO box rental revenue plus the costs to acquire, install, maintain, provision, and staff the boxes. Congress would need to appropriate those amounts to reimburse the Postal Service for foregone rental fees and the incremental capital and operating costs. The bill would add authority allowing annual appropriations to cover the revenue difference and implementation costs.
Free PO boxes for unhoused
If enacted, the Postal Service would provide free post office boxes to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. You would qualify if you are unhoused or housing‑unstable (McKinney‑Vento definitions) and meet at least one test: income at or below the federal poverty line; state TANF (title IV‑A) cash assistance; federal rental housing assistance (Section 8, public housing, Section 202, Section 811, or rural housing programs); Medicaid enrollment; a household member on SNAP; or WIC enrollment. You would have to show proof of eligibility to your local or regional Postmaster in the form and time the Postmaster General sets. Boxes would be free but available only where post office box space exists; USPS could buy or reconfigure boxes immediately and must issue rules within one year.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov