(NewsNation) —The Trump administration announced two extra days off around Christmas for most federal employees, but the Social Security Administration and IRS will remain open.
The agencies were not covered by an executive order signed last week by President Donald Trump that gives most federal employees time off on December 24 and December 26.
Under that order, some agencies and offices essential for “national security, defense or other public need” would need to continue operations. Both SSA and the IRS determined that their missions fall under those exceptions and told staffers they will continue operating, reported Federal News Network.
Federal employees already get Dec. 25 off for Christmas Day as a standard federal holiday.
SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano told employees in an all-staff email that the agency will keep field offices and phone lines open on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26 to meet public demand, the outlet reported.
Bisignano said the agency will seek volunteers to work on those days, that processing centers will be staffed virtually, and virtual administrative law judge hearings will continue, according to the outlet.
A former SSA executive told Federal News Network it is unusual for the agency to remain open on holidays declared by the president, saying the move is “anywhere near normal.”
SSA officials noted that while calls and in-person visits usually slow down during the holidays, demand spikes in January, and that remaining open now could help avoid appointment backlogs and the need to carry cases into 2026.
The same directive was issued to employees by IRS acting chief human capital officer David Traynor, who told staffers that the agency will remain open so employees can continue “mission-critical efforts,” according to Federal News Network.
While customer service phone lines will be offline on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, and taxpayer assistance centers will be closed, Traynor said cases will still be processed and IT staff will be available to provide break-fix support.
According to officials, the decision reflects a practical need to maintain public access and ensure continuity of services, even during a period when most of the federal workforce is off.
Staffers from both agencies who work on these days will receive holiday pay.
