USPS® Requires Use of LACSLink™
In the most recent CASS™ Cycle L Update, the USPS required the use of the LACSLink database — the 911 address conversion matching tool — for CASS address coding.
Group 1's CASS Engines Match to LACSLink
Group 1 Software's CASS engines match Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS) addresses to the LACSLink database to obtain a statement of certified run or PS-3553 CASS form.
LACSLink Database Record Types
Typically, the LACSLink database contains the following two types of records:
- Updated "street" addresses, as converted by the 911 system, including:
- Rural route to street address
- Street address to street address
- PO Box to PO Box
- Seed records
| Rural Box Addressing | Street Style Addressing | PO Box Renumbering | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Most records in LACSLink reflect 911 address conversions, from rural box to street-style addressing | Some records in LACSLink represent changes from street-style to street-style addressing (USPS changed) | Some LACSLink records reflect PO Box renumbering (USPS changed) |
| Old Address | RR 1 Box 127A | 237 Park Ave | PO BOX 123 |
| New Address | 17255 Scenic Rd | 466 Lexington Ave | PO BOX 555123 |
USPS Requests Use of LACS Converted Addresses
In some cases, businesses had concerns with the automated USPS address change. In response to these concerns — and as part of the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) 112 DPV™ Implementation Work Group — the USPS relaxed some of the coding requirements, but still requests users to use the LACS converted addresses. If this proves problematic, users may optionally update the delivery point barcode (DPBC) and continue to use the old input addresses.
USPS to Drop Old Input Addresses After One Year
In the ZIP + 4® database, the USPS will drop the old input addresses after one year. Users will then have one year to both change their process and obtain permission/consent to update the addresses.
After the one year, if the old input address is presented, the CASS engine will not be able to match the record in the ZIP + 4 or LACSLink databases, and these records will only receive 5-digit coding to non-automation rate categories.