
California residents have been experiencing delays in their US mail deliveries, and it's essential to understand the reasons behind this issue. The USPS has been facing significant challenges, including a severe shortage of postal workers and a high volume of packages during the holiday season.
The pandemic has also played a significant role in the delays, as many postal workers have been infected or quarantined, leading to a shortage of staff. This has resulted in a significant backlog of mail and packages.
The USPS has implemented various measures to address the issue, including hiring temporary workers and increasing overtime for existing staff. However, these efforts have been hampered by the ongoing pandemic and the continued shortage of postal workers.
Some California residents have reported experiencing delays of up to two weeks for mail and packages, while others have reported no issues at all.
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USPS California Delays
The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires are causing significant disruptions to mail and package delivery in California.

The affected regions include Malibu, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and San Fernando.
If you're trying to send mail to these areas, you might want to consider an alternative.
The USPS website warns that mail and packages may be delayed due to the fires.
If you're in the affected area, you may need to pick up your mail at a different post office.
Customers' mail will be available at the Pasadena Post Office, 600 Lincoln Ave., 91109.
Here are the post offices that are temporarily closed:
- Altadena Post Office, 2271 Lake Ave., Los Angeles, 91001
- La Canada Flintridge Post Office, 607 Foothill Blvd., 91011
Make sure to bring proper photo identification when picking up your mail or packages.
USPS Forwarding in California
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers mail forwarding services in California, allowing you to reroute your mail to a new address.
You can submit a permanent or temporary change-of-address request to USPS, which will forward your mail to the new address for a specified period.
To set up mail forwarding, you can fill out the Official USPS Change-of-Address form online or present PS Form 3575 in person at your local Post Office location.
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You'll need to provide your old and new addresses, as well as other required information, and verify your identity with a driver's license or other form of ID.
Most mail is forwarded for free, including First-Class mail and periodicals, but certain mail items like Media Mail and USPS Retail Ground mail may require you to cover the cost of shipping.
You can extend a permanent change-of-address order to add up to 18 months of forwarding for a charge of $19.95 for each six-month increment.
Temporary change-of-address arrangements can be extended to 12 months by filing a second form for $29.95.
Here are the two mail forwarding service options in California:
Some potential drawbacks to using USPS for mail forwarding include limited timeframe, need for manual updates, slow delivery, and delays or errors.
Change of Address
Completing a change of address is a straightforward process that can be done online or by visiting a local post office. It's a good idea to do it sooner rather than later to avoid headaches with the IRS and other federal agencies.

Not getting mail at your new address can mean big problems, including issues with insurance and other important documents. This is why it's essential to complete your change of address as soon as possible.
Changing your address is painless and doesn't cost a fortune. Completing a change of address online costs a small $1.05 fee, while doing it at a local post office is free.
You can pre-schedule your change of address, so there's no need to worry about completing it the night before a move. Simply visit the USPS site and fill out your information, including when you'd like your mail to start being forwarded to your new address.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when changing your address:
- It takes only minutes to complete a change of address online or at a local post office.
- There's no cost to change your address at a local post office, while online changes cost $1.05.
- You can pre-schedule your change of address to start at a specific date.
Remember, completing a change of address is a simple process that can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Impact of Changes
Some areas in California could get a 2-3-day turnaround service within regions and specific local areas, according to the postal service.
The new changes will affect mail delivery in various ways, but most mail will retain the same service standard of 1-5 days for First-Class Mail.
Some post offices may have delivery extended by a day, but it's unclear which ones will experience delayed mail delivery caused by changes to regional transportation schedules.
The day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services are being shortened, but the 2-5 day range for USPS Ground Advantage will stay the same.
All packages will benefit from more reliable service under the new approach, but some shipping products will have a slower delivery range going forward.
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Statement
The U.S. Postal Service is prioritizing the safety and well-being of both customers and employees.
A USPS spokesperson has stated that the service is closely monitoring the wildfires and working with local officials to make operational decisions and keep employees informed.
Any Post Office closures will be posted on the USPS Newsroom Service Alerts and USPS Newsroom Local – California.
The USPS is taking a proactive approach to keeping customers and employees safe during this challenging time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if US mail is not delivered?
Submit a Help Request Form online to report missing mail and initiate a search with your local Post Office facility. This will help locate and recover your undelivered mail
Sources
- https://www.newsweek.com/california-palisades-wildfires-usps-mail-delievery-delay-shipment-2012631
- https://www.usestable.com/blog/california-forward-mail
- https://news.yahoo.com/usps-changes-mail-delivery-starting-145453417.html
- https://www.usglobalmail.com/change-of-address/california/
- https://tools.usps.com/locations/details/1356638
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