Care Homes
From October 19th 2020, it will be free for customers to send mail to residents in Care Facilities across Ireland until January 31st 2021.
Community is about reaching out with compassion, staying connected and sending love to each other. That’s why at An Post, you can now send love to communities living in care homes across Ireland with free postage.
Recognising the increased restrictions in nursing homes across the country and to bring a little joy, An Post will ensure free delivery of all card and letter mail posted to and from residents of Nursing and Care homes in the State until January 31st 2021.
By writing FREEPOST where the stamp would normally be affixed, An Post will carry cards, letters large envelopes and packets weighing up to 2KG without a postage stamp.
Customers can send these items through the Post Office network and post boxes across Ireland. Items will be checked to ensure that the recipient address is addressed to a nursing home or Residential Facility. Customers will need to include a sending and return address on all items. All existing postage rates apply.
Newspaper deliveries
You can get your daily newspaper delivered to your door during COVID-19. Delivery is free for elderly and vulnerable customers.
New initiatives to support the vulnerable across Irish communities
Helping vulnerable customers collect their social welfare payments
If you can’t get to the post office to collect your pension, or any other social welfare payment, you can allow somebody else, known as a temporary agent, to collect it. The Temporary Agent form is available in all post offices or you can download the appointment of temporary agent application form.
In addition, post offices will hold selected payments for up to 90 days, and selected payments are now every two weeks.
Postal Delivery staff will check-in on or older/vulnerable customers along their postal routes across the country.
From Monday March 30, Postmen and postwomen across the country will call to the front doors of older and vulnerable customers along their delivery route, particularly those who are living alone in isolated areas.
They will check on their well-being and check if they are in need of any support. In the event that the individual requires support, the An Post employee will recommend the individual call ALONE or will call ALONE on their behalf.
ALONE’s provide an integrated system of coordination of support, practical supports, befriending, phone services, social prescribing, housing with support and assistive technology
ALONE Coronavirus helpline for older people: 0818 222 024, if you have concerns or queries about COVID-19, ALONE’s dedicated support line is available from 8am to 8pm
An Post Postmen and women will:
- Always wear an An Post uniform and carry An Post ID
- Adhere to HSE protocols and maintain 2 metre safe social distancing
Help Elderly & Vulnerable stay connected
The postwoman/ man can also take any post this community might have for free and put it into circulation for them. The postal delivery staff will apply a postage mark in the local mail centre before onward circulation
If an elderly person has a mail item they need collecting, they can put a sign in their window that says I HAVE MAIL and the postal delivery staff will collect it on their route.
Newspaper delivery service
An Post is working with newspapers to develop a delivery service for customers who cannot get to shops to get their daily newspaper. This initiative will be launched in the coming week and more details will be shared once available.
The health and safety of our staff is paramount and An Post delivery staff will be adhering to HSE protocols at all times.
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