Effective August 15, the Ironton Social Security office will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday — 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.

Congress provided Social Security with nearly $1 billion less than the president requested for the budget this fiscal year, which SSA officials say makes it impossible for the agency to provide the amount of overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has in the past.

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 the office 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.