how long does it take to get a social security number 
the social security administration mails individuals their social security cards as soon as it receives all the necessary information and documentation this can take as long as two to four weeks especially when the administration is facing delays the bottom linea social security number or ssn is a unique identifying number associated with u s citizens and other residents in the country it s been around since 1936 about the time that the social security administration was established 1935 to provide us with retirement and disability benefits today the need for an ssn goes beyond calculating what we re entitled to receive as a result of the contributions we ve made throughout our working lives to social security and medicare it s required to open financial accounts apply for loans apply for unemployment assistance and get a driver s license your social security number is your key to important future benefits so it s crucial to protect it and the card that it s on be sure to use it only when officially required and not simply when someone asks you for it 