Due to a reported decrease in workload over the past several years in the Lehighton office of the Social Security Administration, it has been recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services that the North First Street office be closed.

Rose M. Lepore, regional commissioner of that federal agency, has informed U.S. congressmen of this in letters, copies of which have been received by the Carbon County Board of Commissioners.

The SSA explained it plans to close the office when the current lease on the building expires in February 1984.

During the past 18 months, the office has received an average of just 28 claims per week, officials said.