Beginning in November, Social Security field officers — including the one in Selma — began closing to the public 30 minutes early each day. In addition, beginning Jan. 2 of this year, the offices closed to the public at noon each Wednesday.

While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window allows workers to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime.

In the release from the Social Security Administration announcing the moves, said it was necessary due to the 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.”

According to the release, most Social Security services do not require a visit to the 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 the Social Security of a change of address or telephone number can be done online at www.socialsecurity.gov or by calling 800-772-1213.