Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate system frame number (SFN) indication and identification during a random access procedure (e.g., associated with a handover). As described herein, a target cell can configure one or more Random Access Responses (RARs) designated for transmission to a terminal during the access phase of a handover to include the SFN of the target cell. Techniques are further described herein by which the target cell can include SFN information in a sub-header associated with a RAR, in the payload of a RAR, and/or in other appropriate manners. In addition, the target cell can configure one or more flags of the RAR to indicate the presence of SFN information. Upon receiving a RAR with embedded SFN information, a terminal can utilize the SFN for operations such as frequency hopping or uplink resource configuration as described herein.