USPS Releases Hassan-Requested Report on NH Mail Delivery Delays

WASHINGTON –  The Inspector General for the U.S. Postal Service this week released the findings of an investigation that Senator Maggie Hassan requested after she heard from Granite Staters about mail delays.

The investigation included site visits to 10 postal facilities: Andover, Bradford, Campton, Enfield, Laconia, New London, Newbury, Newport, Spofford, and West Lebanon. Delayed mail was identified in all of the facilities except for Laconia in December 2019 and January 2020, and unreported delayed mail was identified in Bradford, Enfield, Laconia, Newport, and West Lebanon in July 2020. The investigation determined that the delays in mail deliveries occurred because of a lack of adequate staffing at these facilities.

“This independent report confirms what constituents told me – that they are experiencing delayed mail, and that facilities need additional staff to ensure that mail is delivered on time,” said Senator Hassan. “Granite Staters depend on mail deliveries for medication, business supplies, and other necessities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. I will continue to push for additional funding and oversight of postal facilities to reduce mail delays, and I want to express my gratitude for the postal workers and letter carriers who are working so hard amid the pandemic to get Granite Staters their mail.”

The report discusses findings from the USPS site visits, including details on mail delays and improper package scanning. It also discusses recommendations to improve mail delivery, including addressing staffing issues through attracting and retaining employees and developing a plan to monitor and ensure compliance with package scanning procedures. The USPS Northern New England District has received the findings of this report.

Senator Hassan is working across the aisle to negotiate a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package, and led negotiations on including $10 billion for the Postal Service as part of the package. Senator Hassan is also working to address the harmful changes to the Postal Service that were made under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s leadership that have resulted in further mail delays. During a Homeland Security committee hearing in August, Senator Hassan questioned the Postmaster General on the other harmful changes that he made to the agency that slowed down mail delivery for Granite Staters.

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