Program Policies

Last updated: October 15, 2026

The Power Bank Project helps people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship stay connected by providing free portable power banks. These policies explain how requests, distribution, and replacements work.

Who the program serves

This program serves people experiencing homelessness or financial hardship who need access to portable power. You do not need a permanent home address, but you do need a U.S. mailing address where you can receive a package.

Cost and request limits

• Individual recipients receive the power bank and shipping at no cost.
• Our standard distribution limit is one power bank per email address. Each person must submit their own request using their own email address.
• Different people may use the same mailing address, including a shelter or shared household, as long as each person requests individually using their own email address.
• Replacement requests are considered separately and remain subject to availability. The overall limit is two power banks per person per calendar year, including the original unit and any replacement.
• Monthly restocking does not create a new monthly allowance. Please do not submit duplicate requests or use additional email addresses to bypass program limits.

Monthly availability and waiting requests

Submitting a request does not guarantee approval, immediate shipment, or a particular delivery date. Distribution depends on available inventory and program resources.

Unfulfilled requests stay on our list and receive priority the following month. Please contact us if your mailing address changes or you no longer need a power bank.

Mailing addresses and delivery

We ship to U.S. addresses only. You may use your own address, a shelter, an organization, a PO Box, or a trusted person's address if they can accept the package for you.

• Provide the recipient's name and complete mailing address, including any apartment, unit, or PO Box number.
• Include any required “Care of” name or delivery instructions.
• Confirm that the person or organization can accept and hold the package for you before submitting their address.

When a power bank is available and we have your complete mailing information, we aim to ship within a few days. Timing may vary with supply and request volume. We email tracking information when your package ships.

If your package is delayed, returned, or missing, contact us so we can review the situation. Please tell us about address changes as soon as possible; we may be unable to change an address after shipment.

Power bank selection and compatibility

We send whichever power bank is available. We cannot guarantee a particular brand, model, color, capacity, connector type, charging speed, or number of device charges. Laptop compatibility is not guaranteed.

Your device may require a compatible cable or charger. If you have a specific connection need, include it in your request so we can consider it against available inventory.

Damaged units and replacement requests

If your power bank arrives damaged or does not work, email admin@powerbankproject.org. Describe the problem and include the email address used for your original request. Please contact us before mailing anything back.

We review replacement requests individually. Replacements depend on available supplies and count toward the maximum of two power banks per person per calendar year. A replacement is not guaranteed.

Requests from shelters and organizations

Shelters, outreach teams, and other organizations seeking multiple power banks should contact us directly to discuss a separate arrangement. Bulk availability and any shipping costs must be agreed upon before shipment.

Privacy, feedback, and sharing your story

Requesting help does not require a review, testimonial, photo, or video. Feedback is voluntary, and choosing not to provide it will not affect your access to future assistance.

You may provide feedback anonymously or without showing your face. We will ask for permission before publicly sharing your name, photo, video, or personal story. Please see our website's Privacy Policy for details about how personal information is handled.

Policy updates

We may update these policies as the program develops or resources change. Updates will appear on this page with a revised “Last updated” date.