By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

Time is money, and less money means less time for Social Security offices.

Effective Aug. 15, the Selma Social Security office will close half an hour early, Monday through Friday. New business hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The reducing of the hours will allow our field office employees … to complete the face-to-face interviews or activities without having to work overtime,” regional communications director Patti Patterson said.

Social Security received nearly $1 billion less from Congress than what was requested.

Agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, and Patterson said they encourage people to complete Social Security activities online — many service do not require an office visit.

“You can file for benefits, you can sign up for direct deposit — so we offer different ways for people to conduct business with us,” Patterson said. “For a lot of people, they prefer conducting business online.”

The Selma office, which is located at 120 Executive Park Lane, averages 530 visits per week.

Other services available online at www.socialsecurity.gov include replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing of a change of address or telephone number.

You can also complete these actions by telephone, 1-800-772-1213 or TTY telephone 1-800-325-0778.