Social security offices will expand hours

Social security offices will expand hours

FINGER LAKES--In a move to improve customer service, Social Security offices throughout the area will expand their hours and increase the number of employees for direct service to the public. Area Social Security offices are located in Corning, Ithaca, Geneva, Rochester, West Seneca and Horseheads.
Starting Jan. 8, 2020, Social Security offices nationwide will be open to the public Wednesday afternoons. This change restores Wednesday public service hours that were last in place in late 2012.
Another change is, Social Security offices will be hiring 1,100 front line employees to provide service on the agency's national 800 number and in its processing centers. The agency is currently bringing onboard 100 new processing center employees and approximately 500 new teleservice representatives for the 800 number. An additional 500 hires for the 800 number will occur later in 2020.
Currently, a field office is generally open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. Beginning Jan. 8, 2020, offices will remain open until 4 p.m. Wednesdays, with typical field office hours from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
While the agency continues to improve both the access to and the experience with its services, it is important to note that most Social Security services do not require the public to visit an office. People may create a my Social Security account, a personalized online service, at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Many Social Security services are also available by dialing toll-free, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call Social Security's TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.