DMNews reports that “the United States Postal Service is implementing a new temporary forwarding mail policy that includes changing the minimum duration for a temporary order from one day to two weeks and maximum duration from 12 months to six months.”

“The new rule was published in the Federal Register July 7 and takes effect Aug. 3, but the agency is still inviting public comments, which should be submitted by Aug. 7. At the end of this period, the USPS will consider whether the rule should be revised based on the comments.”

This new policy is significant to people who depend on temporary mail forwarding for receiving bills and financial documents when they travel or are away from home for long periods of time. Students or snowbirds who have relied on USPS mail forwarding in the past may be forced to start paying for 3rd party mail forwarding services if they want to continue to receive mail past the new time limits.

We’ve scoured the USPS web site for a link to where the USPS is “inviting public comments,” but are unable to find it.