South African Refugees in the USA: plain-language guide
Important: This is general information, not legal advice. Refugee status questions can affect your status: confirm with your resettlement agency, an accredited representative or an immigration attorney.

Last checked: 24 October 2026

Social Security card

If you asked for an SSN during processing

When a number is requested in the immigration process, DHS sends the data to SSA, SSA assigns the number and mails the card to the address you gave, or to your sponsoring agency if you had no address [source, source].

If you apply at an SSA office

Lost card or stolen number

Replacement and identity theft options are on SSA's Social Security number page [source].

How long the card takes to arrive: not stated by source.