Best Time to Call
Last updated: July 31, 2026
The general rule: call in the first 15 minutes after the line opens, mid-week rather than Monday, and avoid the first week of the month. For most government agencies that means Wednesday through Friday, first thing in the morning — and the 4–6 p.m. window is an underrated second best. The tables below give the best time, the worst time, and the average hold for every agency and company we cover.
Government Agencies
| Agency | Best Time | Worst Time | Avg Hold | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS | Wed–Fri, 7 a.m. | Mon morning, Jan–Apr | 45 min (balance-due line); 14 min all lines | Hold times · Full guide |
| Social Security | Wed–Fri, 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. | Monday, 1st week of month | 30–90 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| DMV | Mid-week, mid-morning | Monday, lunch hour | 20–45 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| USCIS | Thu–Fri, late afternoon | Monday morning | 30–120 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| Medicare | Early morning or late evening | Oct–Dec (open enrollment) | 15–40 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| VA | Wed–Thu, mid-morning | Monday morning | 20–45 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| Passport Office | Early morning, outside spring | Mar–Jun (peak travel season) | 20–60 min | Full guide |
Airlines
| Airline | Best Time | Worst Time | Avg Hold | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | Before 8 a.m. or late evening | During weather events, holidays | 15–45 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| Delta Air Lines | Early morning or late evening | Mid-day, holiday weekends | 15–40 min | Hold times · Full guide |
Internet & Cable Providers
| Provider | Best Time | Worst Time | Avg Hold | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comcast / Xfinity | Weekday mornings, Tue–Thu | Monday, evenings, after outages | 10–30 min | Hold times · Full guide |
| Spectrum | Mid-morning, Tue–Thu | Monday, evenings | 10–25 min | Hold times · Full guide |
General Timing Tips
- Call right when lines open. The first 15 minutes after opening are almost always the shortest wait. Set an alarm.
- Mid-week is better than Monday. Mondays are the busiest day for nearly every call center. Wednesday and Thursday are typically the quietest.
- Avoid the first of the month. Government agencies see a spike in calls around benefit payment dates, which cluster in the first week of each month.
- Avoid seasonal peaks. Tax season (Jan–Apr) for the IRS, open enrollment (Oct–Dec) for Medicare and insurance, spring/summer for passports. If your call can wait, wait.
- Late afternoon is underrated. Many people give up calling after lunch. The 4–6 p.m. window is often surprisingly empty.
- Weather creates airline surges. Airline hold times can go from 10 minutes to 3 hours during a major storm. If your flight isn't affected, wait a day to call about non-urgent issues.
Common questions
What is the best time of day to call a government agency?
The first 15 minutes after the line opens is almost always the shortest wait. For the IRS that is Wednesday through Friday at 7 a.m.; for Social Security, Wednesday through Friday at 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
What is the worst day of the week to call?
Monday. It is the busiest day for nearly every call center. Wednesday and Thursday are typically the quietest.
How long is the average hold time?
It varies by agency: 30 to 90 minutes for Social Security, 30 to 120+ minutes for USCIS, 20 to 45 minutes for the DMV and the VA, and 15 to 40 minutes for Medicare. The IRS depends on the line — 45 minutes on the balance-due line, 14 minutes averaged across all lines (National Taxpayer Advocate, 2026 Mid-Year Report to Congress).
Is late afternoon a good time to call?
Yes, and it is underrated. Many people give up calling after lunch, so the 4 to 6 p.m. window is often surprisingly empty.
Which months should I avoid calling?
Avoid the seasonal peaks: tax season (January through April) for the IRS, open enrollment (October through December) for Medicare and insurance, and spring and summer for passports.
Or stop timing it altogether
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