ST. JOSEPH, Ill. (WCIA) — A single mother in St. Joseph has been retrieving her mail in the same manner for nearly 10 years. However, last month she received a notification requiring her to alter her system.

The St. Joseph post office informed her that her mail delivery would cease if changes weren’t made — resulting in her inability to receive mail for weeks. The United States Postal Service in St. Joseph cited the mailbox’s distance from the road as the issue. Jeanelle Murphy, a local resident, said she had to invest close to $1,000 to relocate her mailbox, and she’s not the only one facing this challenge.

“I posted on the Saint Joe Facebook page and many people wrote back in the country, but also in towns,” Murphy said.

All saying the same thing.

“There have never been any issues before,” Murphy remarked. “And now, suddenly, they’re requiring us to alter our mailboxes: make them higher, lower, closer, and address various other specifications.”

Murphy said she got this note July 21. It said her mailbox was out of code. That mailbox has been in the same spot for at least 9 years.

“It has to be nearer to the road,” Murphy explained. “But beyond that, there were no further explanations, just that it needed to be closer, and they mandated it be completed by Aug. 10.”

If she didn’t comply, she faced the cessation of her home mail service. She began searching for a company to assist with the relocation, but claimed she lacked sufficient time to arrange this.

“I discovered a handwritten note in my mailbox on Aug. 10 or 11 stating that my mail delivery would be suspended,” Murphy recounted. “They mentioned it would be held at the post office, and if the mailbox wasn’t adjusted by August 17, all my mail would be returned to the distribution centers.”

Murphy said she couldn’t pick up her mail because she works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: the hours the post office is open. So on Friday, she had someone come out and adjust it for just under $1,000.

Murphy said she was frustrated by the lack of help from the post office. She said she called them to ask for specific guidelines to change the mailbox placement, but got off that call even more confused. Finally, the person who did the project went into the office to get the specifics.

“I’m happy to have a mail delivery, but I don’t think it’s a safe location for the for the mailman,” Murphy said. “It’s so close to the road. People come barreling down this hill right here. He was much safer in my asphalt turnout there than is going to be now.”

WCIA reached out to the St. Joseph post office over the phone for comment, but they said to talk to the USPS State Office. WCIA emailed them twice, but have not heard back at this time.