Congressional Budget Cuts Force Reduced Public Hours
Effective August 15, 2011, local Social Security offices nationwide are closing to the public 30 minutes early each day. For example, a field office that was usually open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is now closing daily at 3:30 p.m.
"While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow us to complete face-to-face service with the visiting public without incurring the cost of overtime for our employees," said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. "Congress provided our agency with nearly $1 billion less than the President requested for our budget this fiscal year, which makes it impossible for us to provide the amount of overtime needed to handle service to the public as we have in the past."
Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. For example, anyone wishing to apply for benefits, sign up for direct deposit, replace a Medicare card, obtain a proof of income letter or inform Social Security of a change of address or telephone number may do so at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing their toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
