What time do social security office open

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Many services are available online or by phone even when Social Security offices aren't open
Social Security by phone
Online services: My Social Security
What is the best day to call Social Security office?
What days are the Social Security place open?

Published June 10, 2022

/Updated September 28, 2022

Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices observe 11 annual federal holidays. Offices are closed to visitors on these days, and telephone help from live representatives is not available. That occurs next on Monday, Oct. 10, when federal agencies close for Columbus Day. This date is also recognized by the federal government and officially observed by many state and local governments as Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Here's the Social Security holiday schedule for 2022:

New Year's Day 2022: Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, Jan. 17
Washington's Birthday: Monday, Feb. 21
Memorial Day: Monday, May 30
Juneteenth National Independence Day: Monday, June 20 (observed, because June 19, the date of Juneteenth, falls on a Sunday)
Independence Day: Monday, July 4
Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 5
Columbus Day: Monday, Oct. 10
Veterans Day: Friday, Nov. 11
Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 24
Christmas: Monday, Dec. 26 (observed, because Christmas falls on a Sunday)

When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, federal offices observe it on the preceding Friday or the following Monday, respectively.

Under normal operations, Social Security offices are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They fully reopened April 7 after more than two years of strictly limited visitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During that period, field offices were closed to foot traffic and allowing scheduled visits only in limited, critical situations. While the offices are again serving walk-in visitors, Social Security strongly recommends making an appointment in advance to avoid lines and long waits. Visitors must complete a COVID-19 self-assessment before entering and wear a mask while inside.

To make an appointment, call your local Social Security office.

To speak to a Social Security representative by phone, you can:

Call the SSA's national customer-service number, 800-772-1213, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time on weekdays.
Call your local office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. You'll find the correct number by plugging your zip code into SSA's office locator.

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The SSA is modernizing its national phone system and says callers may experience service issues during the upgrade, including longer wait times, busy signals and unintentional disconnects. The agency recommends calling during less busy times, such as early (8-10 a.m.) or late (4-7 p.m.) in the day and on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

On federal holidays, you will not be able to speak to a live agent, as Social Security personnel get the day off, but you can access some services using the SSA's automated phone system.

For example, you can ask for a benefit verification letter, which can serve as proof of Social Security income if you are applying for a loan or for aid from a government program; request a new Medicare card; or check on the status of a pending claim for benefits.

You'll find a full list of automated phone services, which are available 24 hours a day, at the Social Security website.

Whatever the status of your local office and whatever the day or time, you can securely access many SSA services with an online My Social Security account.

You don't need to be getting benefits yet to use My Social Security. Once you've opened an account at the SSA website, you can use it to:

Check your Social Security statement, which shows your lifetime earnings history and your current or estimated future benefits.
Check on the status of a pending application for benefits or appeal of a Social Security decision.
Set up direct deposit for your benefit payments or change the deposit details.
Request a replacement Social Security or Medicare card.
Request a benefit verification letter.
Request an SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S form, which details your benefit income for tax purposes.
Notify the SSA of a change of address or phone number.
You can also apply for retirement benefits, Medicare or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) online. You'll find information and links to application forms on SSA's Online Services web page.

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