WASHINGTON (CBS19 NEWS) -- Mail delivery delays continue to plague communities across Virginia.

Senator Tim Kaine sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service on Friday calling on the agency to address an array of frustrating experiences that have been consistently reported.

Examples of problems have included customers not receiving utility bills until after their payments are due or severe delays in package deliveries, especially when it comes to later deliveries of medications.

“I request that you review these concerns, provide information on how these are being addressed, and share what factors are causing what appear to be systemic challenges with processing mail promptly and getting it successfully to the right place,” Kaine said.

Specifically, Kaine says his staff continues to see reports of insufficient staffing being one of the issues behind these delays.

Initial staffing shortages were blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic, but it appears the problem persists in some areas.

Kaine also wants to know about any region-specific bottlenecks that may exist in parts of Virginia, such as Southwest, Richmond/Central and Northern.

He asks about what changes are being made to address such challenges.

Finally, Kaine asks if there are systemic changes that USPS officials think should be considered by lawmakers.

“I am concerned that Virginia communities as far-flung as Smyth County in Southwest Virginia, the Richmond area (nearly 300 miles away from Chilhowie by highway), and Arlington, across the river from Washington, D.C., are all experiencing missing bills, medications, tax documents, and days/weeks without mail,” Kaine continued. “My constituents are understandably frustrated and eager to know if help is on the way. I appreciate any information you can share.”

The full letter can be read here.