Effective August 15, 2011, Social Security field offices nationwide will close to the public 30 minutes earlier each day. For example, a field office that is usually open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will close 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, Social Security commissioner. 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 an 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 us of a change of address or telephone number may do so by going online here or by dialing our toll-free number: (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778).

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