IDEAL, Ga. — Millions of Americans are continuing to face problems with the U.S. Postal Service.
For months now, we've reported how mail delays have affected people's taxes, businesses and more.
The postmaster general said they're working to get things back in order but problems still persist. Now, delays have spread to the small town of Ideal in Macon County.
Packages and payments are being held up, and it's close to impacting Barbara Jenkins' livelihood.
"Every single bill that I paid last month has come back with past due notices," Jenkins said.
Jenkins mails checks to pay for her credit cards, utilities, phone bills and more. She said she prefers the mail-in option.
"That's my preference. That's my right. I've been doing it like that my entire life," Jenkins said.
Jenkins started and spends her life in Ideal. She said the people in Ideal are older, disabled, retired and depend on the postal service.
"We need it like a lot of people need their next meal," Jenkins said.
When she received a handful of past-due notices in the mail, she was shocked.
She said she was even more surprised when she learned some of her neighbors have been dealing with this for months.
Jenkins said she called her billing companies and they told her they don't have anything on their end. She said this is why she writes everything down in her checkbook to keep track.
"I look and okay everything has been paid. I mean I've done all this. I wrote checks, put stamps and send it out. No one's received any of my mail," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said this one delay has put her in the hole financially. She said if this keeps happening, she'll have to look at other options.
"My credit will be so messed up then to where I might need to go somewhere and borrow a few thousand dollars to help get this stuff caught up. I don't want that," Jenkins said.
Jenkins said the mail system is broken, but she hopes someone finds an answer. She said she is just as important as any other customer.
"It should be just as important as the richest person in the world. I'm no lesser than they are to try to keep my business in order," Jenkins said.
The postmaster in Ideal said their delay problems started in February when the Macon distribution center closed.