Fairless Hill Social Security To Cut Office Hours

Congressional budget cuts will force the Fairless Hills Social Security office to reduce its hours, according to a news release.

The office will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. -- a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday -- effective Aug. 15.

Though employees will continue to work regular hours, the shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face service with the public without incurring the cost of overtime.  

Congress provided Social Security with nearly $1 billion less than the President Barack Obama requested for the budget this fiscal year, which makes it impossible for the agency to provide the amount of overtime needed to handle service to the public as they have in the past, the news release said.

Officials said most Social Security services do not require a visit to an office. Anyone wanting to apply for benefits, sign up for direct deposit, replace a Medicare card, obtain a proof of income letter or inform the office of a change of address or telephone number can visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.