The 2025 holiday season has brought a unique administrative shift for federal employees across the United States. Following a recent executive order, many government workers were granted an extended break, with December 24 and December 26 designated as additional federal holidays.2 While this move provides a five-day weekend for a vast portion of the federal workforce, it has raised significant questions regarding the availability of essential public services.3 For millions of Americans who rely on the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the primary concern is whether these offices will remain accessible during this extended period.4 Official reports indicate that while much of the federal government has paused operations, these two critical agencies are maintaining a presence to ensure that public needs and financial obligations are met without significant disruption.
Understanding the 2025 Executive Order
The catalyst for this change was an executive order issued on December 18, 2025, which excused federal employees from duty on the Wednesday before and the Friday after Christmas Day.5 Historically, presidents have occasionally granted extra time off when holidays fall mid-week to boost morale and reduce operational costs during low-productivity days.6 However, the 2025 directive included a specific provision: agency heads retain the authority to keep offices open if they are deemed necessary for “national security, defense, or other public need.”7 This clause is precisely why certain sectors of the SSA and IRS are operating under modified schedules rather than closing entirely, as the government seeks to balance employee benefits with the necessity of uninterrupted citizen services.8
Social Security Administration’s Holiday Schedule
The Social Security Administration has implemented a “hybrid” approach to this extended holiday.9 While Christmas Day remains a full closure for all federal entities, the SSA has opted to keep its field offices open with limited hours on December 24 and December 26. According to agency notices, many local offices are operating from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time on these days.10 This decision ensures that individuals with urgent needs—such as those reporting a lost benefit check or requiring immediate assistance with disability claims—can still reach a representative. Furthermore, the agency has confirmed that automated systems and online services remain fully functional, allowing users to check their application status or request replacement cards without needing to visit a physical location.
Impact on Payments and Deposits
Perhaps the most vital information for beneficiaries is the status of scheduled payments. The SSA has clarified that the designation of December 24 as a federal holiday will not delay the final regular payment cycle of 2025.12 Beneficiaries with birthdays falling between the 21st and 31st of any month traditionally receive their payments on the fourth Wednesday of the month.13 Despite the holiday status, electronic deposits were processed as usual. Similarly, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for January 2026 are being managed with the holiday calendar in mind, often resulting in an advanced payment on December 31 to account for the New Year’s Day closure.
IRS Operations and Taxpayer Assistance
The Internal Revenue Service presents a slightly different operational profile. While the IRS typically follows the standard federal holiday calendar, the agency has recognized that the end of the year is a critical time for tax planning and late-year filings. Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) may have varied availability, with many following the executive order’s closure guidance; however, the IRS’s digital infrastructure is designed to remain “always on.” Online tools for tracking refunds, viewing tax accounts, and making payments remain accessible 24/7. Additionally, any tax deadlines falling on December 24, 25, or 26 are automatically shifted to the next business day, which in this case is Monday, December 29, 2025, providing taxpayers with a small but helpful window of extra time.
Operational Status of Key Agencies
To help citizens navigate the week, the following table outlines the general availability of major agencies during the extended holiday period. Note that “Modified” indicates limited hours or reduced staffing.
| Agency/Service | Dec 24 (Wed) | Dec 25 (Thu) | Dec 26 (Fri) |
| Social Security (Field Offices) | Modified (9AM-1PM) | Closed | Modified (9AM-1PM) |
| IRS In-Person Centers | Mostly Closed | Closed | Mostly Closed |
| U.S. Postal Service | Open (Normal) | Closed | Open (Normal) |
| U.S. Tax Court | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Online Govt. Portals | Active | Active | Active |
Essential vs. Non-Essential Services
The distinction between “essential” and “non-essential” has never been more apparent than during this 2025 holiday stretch. While administrative offices for agencies like the Department of Education or the Department of Labor may be completely dark, “frontline” services are treated differently. The U.S. Postal Service, for example, is an independent agency and has chosen to maintain near-normal delivery schedules on the 24th and 26th.16 This ensures that the surge of holiday mail continues to move through the system. For the public, this means that even though your local Social Security office might close its doors at noon, your mail carrier will likely still be on their route, and your electronic tax payments will still be processed.
Planning Your Visit or Inquiry
If you find yourself needing to contact the SSA or IRS during this week, the best course of action is to utilize their respective websites first. Most tasks that previously required an in-person visit can now be completed through a “my Social Security” account or the IRS “Individual Online Account.”18 If an in-person visit is unavoidable, it is highly recommended to call the specific local office ahead of time. Because the executive order gives local managers discretion, hours can vary by region based on staffing levels and local public demand. Planning ahead can save you from a wasted trip to a facility that may have closed early due to the holiday extension.
FAQs
Q1: Will my Social Security check be delayed because of the extra holidays?
No. The Social Security Administration has confirmed that electronic deposits scheduled for December 24 will be processed on time.19 Direct deposits are handled through automated systems that are not affected by the closure of physical office buildings.20
Q2: Are banks closed on December 24 and December 26 like federal offices?
Generally, no. While December 25 is a standard bank holiday, most private financial institutions remain open on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, though they may observe shorter “holiday hours” on the 24th.
Q3: Does this holiday extension apply to state and local government offices?
No. The President’s executive order only applies to federal executive branch agencies.21 Your local DMV, city hall, or state-level departments follow schedules set by your state governor or local officials.22
disclaimer
The content is intended for informational purposes only. you can check the officially sources our aim is to provide accurate information to all users.
