South Dakota Unemployment

South Dakota Unemployment Insurance Benefits

South Dakota’s Department of Labor and Regulation administers an unemployment insurance program designed to provide temporary assistance to unemployed South Dakota workers. 

These reemployment assistance benefits provide financial assistance to eligible state residents who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are actively looking for full-time work.

South Dakota Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for South Dakota Unemployment Benefits

To be eligible for South Dakota unemployment insurance benefits, you must be a resident of South Dakota and all of the following must be true:

• You are unemployed through no fault of your own
• You worked in South Dakota during the past 12 months
• You earned a minimum amount of wages determined by South Dakota guidelines
• You are actively seeking work each week you are collecting benefits

There are three major eligibility criteria the Department of Labor and Regulation will consider when determining whether an employee is eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. They are as follows:

1. Whether the worker can report enough earnings during your base period
2. Whether the worker lost employment through no fault of her own – or quit a previous job for good cause
3. Whether the worker is able and available to accept suitable work when it is offered to you

If you meet each of the eligibility requirements, your claim for jobless benefits is likely to be approved.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for South Dakota Unemployment Benefits

The best way to submit your initial claim for South Dakota unemployment benefits is to apply online. If you prefer, you may also file a claim over the telephone by calling 605-626-3179, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Central Standard Time.

If you choose the online option, you will set up a username and password that allows you to check the status of your unemployment claim and certify your weekly benefits.

Once you file, you’ll receive an eligibility determination from the Department of Labor and Regulation that outlines the wages reported by your employer and the amount you should expect to receive in benefits.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

Once approved for unemployment benefits, you must certify your eligibility on a weekly basis. You can certify online using the account you set up when submitting your original claim, or by telephone at 605-626-3179. 

Answer questions about your efforts to find work, and report any earnings or job offers from the prior week.

How To Appeal a Decision

If your initial reemployment assistance claim is denied, you can file an appeal within 15 days.  You may do so by mailing or faxing a statement of appeal to your local unemployment office.

Be prepared to participate in a telephone hearing before an administrative law judge. This is your opportunity to present evidence and witness testimony that helps support your claim. After the hearing, the judge will issue a decision on your appeal.

If you would like to appeal the judge's decision, you may send a statement of appeal to the Secretary of Labor and Regulation within 15 days. Further appeals are submitted to the South Dakota Circuit Court.

Reporting Unemployment Fraud in South Dakota

South Dakota is committed to responsibly and accurately distributing unemployment benefits. If you suspect either a claimant or an employer of fraudulent activity related to unemployment claims, you can report it below:

Report Possible Fraud: https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/report_fraud.aspx

Be prepared to provide as much specific information as you possibly can so that the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation may investigate appropriately.

South Dakota Unemployment Office Locations