Falls Social Security office hours change

Effective Aug. 15, the Niagara Falls Social Security 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.

While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face service with the visiting public without incurring the cost of overtime. The reduction in hours is designed to reduce overtime. Congress provided Social Security with nearly $1 billion less than the president requested for the budget this fiscal year.

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 of a change of address or telephone number may do so at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing the toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.