As 2025 winds down, Social Security offices are getting ready for their usual holiday rush. With deadlines approaching and important documents on people’s to-do lists, many still prefer to visit local offices in person—especially when handling paperwork that feels too important to leave to online forms.
The good news? Social Security offices will remain open for walk-ins throughout the holiday season—on all regular business days. The only closures are on federal holidays like Christmas Day (December 25, 2025) and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026).
So, if you’re planning to head to a Social Security office before the end of the year, here’s everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
Availability
Walk-in access is available on all weekdays except federal holidays. For the 2025 holiday season, this means:
- Offices will be closed on:
- Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day)
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 (New Year’s Day)
On all other weekdays, offices are expected to open on time—typically around 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.—though exact hours may vary by location.
Demand
This time of year tends to bring heavier foot traffic at Social Security offices. People commonly need help with:
- Retirement or disability benefit applications
- Lost or stolen Social Security card replacements
- Name corrections and identity updates
- Social Security number requests for children
Many of these tasks require original documents and face-to-face verification, which can’t be done online or over the phone. That’s why walk-ins remain popular—especially as the year wraps up and people want to tie up loose ends.
Midmorning is usually when lines get longest. Offices in larger cities or areas with a high number of retirees tend to get busier faster. Rural locations also stay busy, especially as some people travel long distances for service.
Appointments
While the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages scheduled appointments, they are not required. Walk-ins are still welcome and are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Appointments do help reduce wait times and can make the process smoother—especially for complex requests. But not every service is eligible for appointment booking. So, if your situation requires urgent attention or documentation, a walk-in visit may still be the best choice.
To improve your chances of being seen quickly, it’s smart to arrive early, ideally before 10:00 a.m.
Tips
Heading to a Social Security office during the holidays? Keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid peak times: Mondays and days right before or after a holiday are typically the busiest.
- Show up early: Morning visitors often face shorter wait times.
- Bring original documents: No photocopies for ID or verification tasks.
- Try the SSA website first: Many basic services—like benefit checks or address updates—can be done online at ssa.gov.
- Call ahead: Office hours or services may vary slightly by location. Use the Office Locator to check.
Locations
With over 1,200 field offices across the U.S., chances are there’s one nearby. All local SSA offices will be open for walk-ins through December 2025, except on federal holidays.
If you’re unsure where to go, the SSA’s Office Locator tool makes it easy to find the closest location and check current hours.
FAQs
Are walk-ins allowed this holiday season?
Yes, Social Security offices accept walk-ins on business days.
What dates are offices closed in December 2025?
Closed on December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
Is an appointment required for service?
No, but appointments can reduce your wait time.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning before 10 a.m. is typically best.
Can I handle services online?
Yes, many tasks like benefit checks are online at ssa.gov.
