This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Social Security offices nationwide will close to the public 30 minutes earlier each day because of federal budget limitations. The new hours begin Aug. 15.
Offices usually open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. will close daily at 3:30 p.m.
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, said Congress allocated nearly $1 billion less than President Barack Obama requested for the agency's budget this year. That means no more overtime pay for workers.
Agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, and still provide face-to-face service but without incurring the cost of overtime, Astrue said in a statement.
The budget cut "makes it impossible for us to provide the amount of overtime needed to handle service to the public as we have in the past," he said.
Most Social Security services do not require a visit to an office. Anyone wishing to apply for benefits, sign up for direct deposit, replace a Medicare card, obtain a proof of income letter or notify the agency of a change of address or telephone number may do so at http://www.socialsecurity.gov or by telephone, (800)-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).