Bethlehem's Social Security Office Gets New Hours

Starting Aug. 15, the Social Security Office in Bethlehem will close 30 minutes early every day, according to an announcement Friday the U.S. Social Security Administration.

The Easton field office, which had been open 9 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, will instead close daily at 3:30 p.m.

“While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow us to complete face-to-face service with the visiting public without incurring the cost of overtime for our employees,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security.  “Congress provided our agency with nearly $1 billion less than the President requested for our budget this fiscal year, which makes it impossible for us to provide the amount of overtime needed to handle service to the public as we have in the past.”  

The Administration says, however, that 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 us of a change of address or telephone number may do so at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213.