SOUTH DAKOTA

This is an unofficial benefits estimator and not an application. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application.

South Dakota Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

South Dakota TANF is a temporary public assistance program for low-income families with children under age 18 that helps them “move from welfare to work”.

It provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical, including job training, and support services.

Participants who aren’t exempt are required to take part in allowable work activities for a minimum of 30 hours each week, or 20 hours a week if they have a child under six years old.

How much do I get for TANF in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, a single mother of two may receive up to $701 but may vary based on who lives with the family, who is eligible in the household and other income available to the family.

How do I apply for TANF in South Dakota?

Applications for TANF in South Dakota can be accepted online through SD BEES  (South Dakota Benefits Eligibility and Enrollment System) or in person at a local DSS office.¹

South Dakota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

South Dakota SNAP helps low-income individuals and families afford the food they need to maintain a healthier diet while working toward financial independence.

SNAP benefit amounts vary based on several factors, including household size, income, and allowable deductions. For example, a family of three in South Dakota with no income may receive up to $785 in monthly SNAP benefits.

How to apply for food stamps in South Dakota?

Apply in person at any local DSS office¹ near you or online through SD BEES  (South Dakota Benefits Eligibility and Enrollment System).

If you have further questions about eligibility or benefits under SNAP, call
South Dakota SNAP
(877) 999-5612

South Dakota Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

South Dakota’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is, as the name implies, a special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children up to the age of five.

It provides nutritious foods along with nutrition education, breastfeeding support and information on where to apply for free or low-cost health care or other needed services in the community.

WIC requires that the applicant’s income does not exceed 185% of poverty guidelines and be individually determined by a health professional to be “at nutritional risk”.

What is the income limit for WIC in South Dakota?

WIC serves women, infants, and children in South Dakota whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. That’s about $4,109 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for WIC in South Dakota?

The quickest way to apply for WIC in South Dakota is by using the MyWIC Client Portal  to schedule an appointment at a WIC clinic near you.

To find out if you are eligible for WIC, please call

South Dakota WIC Program
South Dakota Department of Health
(800) 738-2301

South Dakota Medicaid

South Dakota Medicaid is a health care program that helps pay for medical services for low-income South Dakota residents who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible families receive FREE or low cost medical assistance including, but not limited to, regular checkups, well-child care exams, dental care, and vision care.

Who is eligible for Medicaid in South Dakota?

As South Dakota expanded its Medicaid coverage, starting July 1, 2023, nearly all adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level will qualify for Medicaid.

Children and pregnant women are eligible at higher income levels. Pregnant women may qualify for limited coverage or full coverage with more restrictive income limits.

How do I apply for Medicaid in SD?

If you think you may be eligible for Medicaid, apply online at SD DSS Online System . If you need assistance completing an application, contact a Department of Social Services office nearest you or call (800) 305-3064.

South Dakota Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

South Dakota CHIP provides health insurance at little or no cost to South Dakota children who meet certain eligibility guidelines.

It covers a full range of health care services, including doctor visits, hospital stay, dental and vision services, prescription drugs, immunizations and other medical services.

Children who are uninsured or already have health insurance may be eligible for CHIP based on income and eligibility guidelines.

In South Dakota, uninsured children who live in families with income up to 209% of poverty, or about $4,642 a month for a family of three, are eligible for CHIP.

South Dakota Child Care Assistance Program

South Dakota CCAP helps low-income families pay for the child care while parents work, attend school, or both. Eligibility is based on the family’s gross income and household size.

The program helps pay for child care for children under age 13, or up to age 18 for children with special needs, whose parents meet the eligibility requirements.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in South Dakota?

A family is considered “income eligible ” when the total gross monthly income is less than 209% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application or about $4,642 a month for a family of three.

The income limits for families of different sizes are listed in the table below.

Depending on where your income and household size falls on the scale, parents may be required to make a co-payment or out-of-pocket expense, not exceeding 12% of their gross monthly income.

Households with gross monthly countable income below 170% of the federal poverty level will not have a calculated co-payment.

Click here to apply online for CCAP  or fill out the application and mail it to:

South Dakota Department of Social Services
Division of Child Care Services
910 East Sioux Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

South Dakota Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

South Dakota LIEAP helps eligible low-income South Dakotans pay for home heating costs. It helps cover the costs of electricity, natural gas, propane, and fuel oil when these are used for heating a home.

South Dakotans with a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or about $4,442 for a family of three, are eligible for the program.

Benefits range from $668 up to $2,400, depending on household income and energy costs. Priority is given to households with the highest needs or home energy costs in relation to their income.

How do I apply for energy assistance in South Dakota?

To apply for LIEAP, visit your local Department of Social Services office to obtain an application or call (800) 233-8503 to request an application be mailed to you.

The last day to submit your application is March 31. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)

If you have received a disconnect notice, you may apply for Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) any time from October 1 through March 31.

ECIP is part of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). To qualify for ECIP assistance, the household must be income eligible and in crisis, such as:

• a current disconnection notice for the primary heat source;
• required to provide cash-on-delivery, or delivery refusal with less than 20% in tank; or
• received an eviction notice for non-payment if heat is included in rent or paid in addition to rent.

If at any time you receive a disconnect notice, or have less than 20% in of fuel remaining in your tank, call (800) 233-8503

South Dakota Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

South Dakota LIHWAP provides water and wastewater assistance to eligible households with a one-time payment toward their water or wastewater bill.

Households eligible for LIHWAP benefits will have a one-time credit of up to $5,000 for past-due or current bills. Priority is given to households facing the threat of disconnection, or those that have already been disconnected.

How do I get help paying my water bill in South Dakota?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills and need help, you need to submit a completed application along copies of your most recent utility bill and proof of income to:

South Dakota Department of Social Services
Office of Energy Assistance
910 East Sioux Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

South Dakota Unemployment Insurance

South Dakota Unemployment Insurance, referred to as Reemployment Assistance or RA, provides temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed, through no fault of their own, until they find other employment.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period ’ and must have:

1. earned at least $728 during the highest paid quarter of the base period prior to filing a claim, AND
2. wages in the other three quarters totaling at least 20 times your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), AND
3. a calculated Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) equal to 1/26th of the wages in your highest quarter.

If your highest-paid quarter was $2,800, your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) would be about $108 ($2,800 ÷ 26). As a result, your total earnings in the other three quarters must be at least $2,160 (20 × $108) to qualify.

How much unemployment benefits can I get in South Dakota?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $553 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How do I apply for unemployment in SD?

Filing a claim can be done online through the RA Benefits Portal  as soon as you become unemployed or if your work hours have been reduced.

If you wish to file your claim over the phone, please call (605) 626-3179 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (CST).