Press Release from the office of Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06)

Some rural Missouri residents have Iowa zip codes, leading to various difficulties

 WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) today sent a letter to the United States Postal Service (USPS) asking the agency to reassign zip codes for north Missouri residents currently serviced by Iowa zip codes.  The present situation has led to difficulties in obtaining health insurance, forwarding mail, and contacting Congressman Graves’ office.  The counties affected include Atchison (zip code 51640), Nodaway (51630), Harrison and Mercer (50065), Scotland (52542, 52573) and Clark (52626).

“I am asking on behalf of my constituents that their rural routes be reassigned to zip codes that reflect their Missouri residency and improve the service they receive in their daily interactions with the United States Postal Service,” Graves wrote in his letter.

A copy of the letter is below.September 12, 2013
Sheila Meyers
United States Postal Service
Manager, Government Relations and Public Policy
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Room 10804
Washington, DC 20260-3500

Dear Sheila:

The purpose of this letter is to request a reassignment of zip codes for north Missouri residents currently serviced by Iowa zip codes.

From our research, we have found that the following six Iowa zip codes cover a portion of Missouri: 50065 (Davis City), 51640 (Hamburg), 51630 (Blanchard), 52542 (Cantril), 52573 (Mt. Sterling), and 52626 (Farmington).

Those residents living in Missouri would be better served by having zip codes that reflect the state in which they live. The current zip code designations have made it difficult for my constituents to purchase health insurance, guns and mortgages. When dealing with the USPS, these customers have had difficulties in holding, stopping or forwarding mail. It also makes it impossible to contact elected officials via websites that require nine digit zip-codes. One constituent reported annual challenges with the state of Iowa requesting they pay income taxes because of their address.

I am asking on behalf of my constituents that their rural routes be reassigned to zip codes that reflect their Missouri residency and improve the service they receive in their daily interactions with the United States Postal Service.