Form 3996 - Carrier Auxiliary Control Form

When the Branch has route inspection training classes, one of the questions sometimes asked by a few of the carriers is: What is a 3996?

There have been many articles written about this topic, by many full time officers of our Branch. I feel another reminder is necessary. Every carrier should read the M-41 which is at every carrier’s case, or online, on our Branch or National websites. You must fill out this form in the morning if you are running late.

Section 28 of the M-41 City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities Handbook.

Prepare form 3996, Carrier-Auxiliary Assistance Control Form as follows:

A.   Enter the Delivery Unit (Post Office) you work at

B.  Telephone number of your Post Office

C.  Date

D.  Carrier’s name and route number

E.   Lunch place and time

F.   Place an X in the space below the number indicating the case shelf containing the mail for which assistance is being requested. The bottom shelf of the letter separations is designated No.1. When assistance is required for less than a full shelf of mail, enter the portion of shelf in fractions. The portion should be identified as follows: L 1/2, R 1/4; M 1/2; (L-Left, R-Right, M-middle of the shelf).

G.  Indicate if keys are required.

H.  Indicate if carfare is required.

I.    Indicate if there is any accountable mail for delivery on the route.

J.   Show the reason in detail for requesting assistance. The phrase ‘Heavy Mail” is not a suitable explanation. (Omit reason for requesting assistance during the Christmas period).

K.  Under Estimated Work, the carrier must enter the estimated hours and minutes of the amount of assistance being requested.

      Present form to manager.

L.   Auxiliary Assistance: If assistance is approved the manager shall initial Form 3996 and return to the carrier for completion of route information.

      Overtime. If overtime is approved, the manager shall initial the form and enter near his/her initials the amount of overtime in minutes. After advising the carrier, the form is then deposited in a designated place for use later when the timecard or printout is verified.

      Street Assistance. When street assistance is approved, the regular carrier shall complete the additional sections of the form as follows.

M.  Show transportation information as indicated.

N.   Indicate the delivery starting point and the blocks on each street to be delivered.

O.   List the points where relays will be found

P.   Carrier Assistance. Name of carrier. Beginning and ending office work if auxiliary assistance is given in office. Enter begin and end travel to time for street assistance, Enter begin and end delivery time used to actually deliver all of the assistance. After completing actual assistance, enter begin and end travel from time in the appropriate spaces. Deposit the form in the designated place or give to the manager.

Filling out this form is part of your fixed office time (Line 21 during route inspections). You must complete this form prior to giving it to the manager. This will take you time – office time. So don’t have your supervisor fill out this form for you – it is not their work! Protect your job! Protect your route!

Have a wonderful summer everyone.

Be safe and keep smiling.