Through rain, shine, snow, sleet, gloom of night...despite the popularity of complaints about the USPS your mail is almost always delivered exactly where it's supposed to be every day but Sunday. Yet that still leaves some of us with a problem because we don't want our frail elders trying to walk out to a mailbox on the street or down the road in the rain, sleet, gloom, etc. For some, a trip to the mailbox might as well be a jaunt up Mount Everest.

Just like most every other problem we face, there may be a solution we simply haven't heard about yet. Did you know the U.S. Postal Service provides "hardship delivery" if your elder qualifies, and if the local post office has the resources?

According to the astoundingly brief statement on the USPS.com website, your local post office will consider changing your mail delivery point if the existing method "imposes extreme physical hardship on the customer." 

There is no additional charge to the resident. The mail delivery carrier is apparently compensated for one additional minute of paid time for providing the service (Wow!).

You have to make application and be approved for hardship delivery. The final decision is made by the local post office serving your ZIP Code. If they don't have the "resources" you may be declined. However, it certainly doesn't hurt to try.

1. Have your physician write a statement that details your medical conditions and the specific reasons why hardship delivery is necessary; then

2. Submit this letter to your local Postmaster along with a letter from you that states in detail why you need this assistance.

Decisions are made on a "case-by-case" basis.
You can locate the local Post Office for any ZIP code at the USPS website or by calling (800) 275-8777.