AHOSKIE – Cutbacks at the federal level are trickling down locally.

According to a press release sent to the Roanoke-Chowan Publications on Thursday, the Social Security office in Ahoskie will trim its hours of operation to the public by 30 minutes each weekday.

The new hours of operation (9 a.m. until 3 p.m.) become effective on Monday, Nov. 19.

Additionally, effective Jan. 2, 2013, the Ahoskie Social Security office will close to the public at 12 noon every Wednesday.

While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime, according to the press release. The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of the fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past.

In addition, on Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, all Social Security field offices will be closed to the public.

“As we did last year, employees working that day will focus on reducing backlogged workloads,” the press release said.

Most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office.  Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing officials of a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available at www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling, toll-free, 1-800-772-1213.  People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.  Many of Social Security online services also are available in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov.