USPS Hours

The United States Postal Service (USPS), often known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service, is a separate executive branch organization that is in charge of delivering postal service across the United States, including its affiliated states and insular territories. It is one of the few governmental organizations that the US Constitution expressly grants authority to. There are 136,531 non-career employees and 516,636 career employees working for the USPS as of 2021.

Depending on where you reside, US Postal Service locations have quite different hours of operation. On weekdays, most locations open at 8 a.m. or 8.30 a.m., however some close at 10 a.m., others at 12.30 p.m., and other branches close at 4 p.m.

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 8:30 PM ET
Saturday 8 AM – 6 PM ET

How to File a Claim

Either the sender or the recipient may file a claim for insured mail that is lost, arrived damaged, or was missing contents. The person filing must have the original mailing receipt. Each claim must be filed within a certain time period and include proof of insurance, value, and damage. 

NOTE: These instructions do not include all the details and exceptions in the Postal Regulations in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®).
Filing Indemnity Claims (DMM 609)

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Step 1: Check Filing Periods

Each mail service has a different filing period. The filing period is based on the mailing date on your receipt and whether your package arrived damaged. 

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Including the right documentation with your claim helps USPS® approve it more quickly. Save all your evidence documents until your claim is resolved. 

Step 3: File Your Claim

The fastest and easiest way to file your claim is online. If you cannot file a claim on USPS.com, you can start a claim process by mail. After you file, keep all your evidence documents until the claim is resolved. 

After You File – Next Steps

USPS Accounting Services determines whether to pay a claim in full or in part, or to deny a claim.

Claims Decisions

Due to COVID-19 impacts, USPS is experiencing delays in processing claims. Please allow additional time for your claims decision. You can also check Claim History in your USPS.com account for updates.

  • Claim processing times depend on whether an item is damaged or lost.
  • Claims for damaged items are usually processed more quickly than lost mail claims.
  • Before processing lost mail claims, USPS will first perform a Missing Mail Search.

Approved Claims

  • Your claim may be completely approved or approved in part. After your claim is approved, you should receive payment for the claim amount in 7-10 business days.
  • USPS does not pay a claim higher than an item’s actual value.

Denied Claims

  • Claims can be partially or fully denied.
  • Your decision letter will list the reasons for the denial.

Making an Appeal

If your refund was only partially paid or completely denied, you may file an appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision.

First Appeal

  • Submit your appeal the same way you submitted the original claim, whether online or by mail. You can start an online claim from your Claim History.
  • Focus your appeal on the reasons your claim was denied.
  • You may submit new documentation to support your appeal.

Final Appeal

If your appeal is denied, you can file a second appeal within 30 days of the date you received the appeal denial. Follow the same process for final review as for your first appeal.