DALLAS — A recent change in U.S. Postal Service procedures could delay postmark dates by several days, raising concerns that date-sensitive mail for health care and state assistance programs may be considered late, advocates said.
Under the new process, mail is no longer postmarked when first received at a local post office. Instead, it is stamped during sorting and processing at regional distribution centers, a shift that can delay the postmark date beyond submission deadlines.
Advocates said the change could affect applications, renewals and documentation for programs such as Medicaid and food assistance, particularly for Texans who rely on mail to meet strict eligibility requirements. More than four million people in Texas are enrolled in Medicaid programs.
Julia Chalker, director of the advocacy organization the Arc of the DFW Area, said the delayed postmarking could determine whether individuals receive or retain benefits.
She said the change adds complications for people with disabilities, who already face extensive documentation requirements when applying for or maintaining state benefits. Chalker said additional steps in the process increase the risk that paperwork will be considered late, even if it was mailed on time.
Chalker urged the public to plan ahead and avoid mailing documents close to deadlines. She said individuals can request that mail be accepted and hand-stamped by a postal clerk at the counter, rather than placing it in a mailbox. Hand-cancelling is a free service for small amounts of mail, according to the Postal Service.
She also recommended using certified or priority mail when possible, keeping copies of submitted documents and saving receipts. Taking photos of postmarked envelopes can also help document when mail was submitted, she said.
Chalker said individuals who are told their documents were received late should present proof of timely mailing and request a review by a supervisor. She added that online, email or fax submissions may be alternatives when agencies allow them.
The Postal Service implemented the change in late December. Chalker said mail processing delays already posed challenges before the update and warned that lost or delayed benefits can take months to restore, affecting families and individuals who depend on them.
