Are Post Offices, Social Security Open on Christmas Eve? Is December 24 a Federal Holiday?
Christmas Eve has been declared a federal holiday, which means post offices and social security may be closed or operate with holiday hours on December 24, 2019. While Christmas Day is a federal holiday, Christmas Eve isn't an official holiday.
However, this year, President Donald Trump has declared Christmas Eve a federal holiday and has given most federal workers the day off. This may affect the operating hours of services including post offices and social security.
Are post offices open on Christmas Eve?
Post office holiday hours will vary by location, so check with your local post office for its opening times. Be aware that your local post office may close early on Christmas Eve and plan accordingly.
USPS Blue Collection Boxes will be affected by Christmas Eve and mail will be collected by noon, regardless of the usual final collection time. USPS mail will be delivered as usual on December 24, and will not be affected by holiday hours. FedEx and UPS hours may vary to USPS operating hours.
Christmas Day, December 25, is a Postal Holiday so post offices will be closed and regular mail will not be delivered. However, priority mail express will be delivered. On December 26, post offices will open and mail will be delivered as usual.
Are social security offices open on Christmas Eve?
Social security offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, online social security services will be available. Online services include applying for retirement, disability and Medicare benefits. Social security offices will open as usual on December 26.
Social security offices will also be closed on upcoming federal holidays including New Year's Day on January 1, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday on January 21, and Washington's Birthday on February 18.
Which U.S. Government offices are open on Christmas Eve?
To find out which U.S. Government offices are open on Christmas Eve, we have rounded up which offices are open and which are closed on December 24.
On December 17, President Trump declared Christmas Eve a federal holiday. The executive order from President Trump states: "All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall be closed and their employees excused from duty on Tuesday, December 24, 2019, the day before Christmas Day.
"The heads of executive departments and agencies may determine that certain offices and installations of their organizations, or parts thereof, must remain open and that certain employees must report for duty on December 24, 2019, for reasons of national security, defense, or other public need."
