South Dakota unemployment is handled by the Department of Labor and Regulation, and you file through their online portal or by phone

South Dakota's unemployment system is run by the state's Department of Labor and Regulation (SDLR). You can file a claim online through their website, by phone, or by mail, though online is fastest. The state processes claims within one to two weeks if your information is complete and matches employer records. South Dakota follows federal guidelines for who can receive benefits, but the state sets its own weekly payment amount and the number of weeks you can collect.

Before you start, gather your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last job — including the employer's name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. If you were laid off, fired, or quit, have a clear explanation ready. The reason you left work determines whether you can collect, so accuracy here matters.

Key Takeaways

  • File your claim online through the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation website, or call 605-773-3101 if you cannot use the internet.
  • You must have worked in South Dakota or for a South Dakota employer, earned at least $1,500 in your base period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), and be unemployed through no fault of your own.
  • Weekly benefit amounts in South Dakota range from $25 to $504, depending on your prior earnings, and you can collect for up to 26 weeks in most cases.
  • You must file a new claim each week you want to collect, reporting any work or income you earned that week.
  • If your claim is denied, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the state.

What you need before you file

Have your Social Security number and a valid ID ready. You will also need the name, address, and phone number of your most recent employer. If you have worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, write down all of them with dates — the state will contact them to verify your earnings.

Know the reason you are no longer working. If you were laid off or your hours were cut, that is straightforward. If you quit, you need a reason the state considers valid — unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay, or a move that made the job impossible to reach are examples. If you were fired, the reason matters: fired for misconduct (breaking a rule you knew about) usually disqualifies you, but fired for poor performance or inability to do the job does not.

Gather any documents that support your story: a layoff notice, a text or email from your boss, a doctor's note if you quit for health reasons, or a lease showing you moved. You do not have to upload these when you file, but having them ready speeds up the process if the state asks questions.

How to file your claim online

Go to dol.sd.gov and look for the unemployment section. You will create an account with an email address and password. The state will ask for your Social Security number, date of birth, driver's license number, and contact information. Answer honestly — the state cross-checks everything with the Social Security Administration and your employer's tax records.

When you reach the employment history section, list every job you held in the past 18 months. For each one, enter the employer name, address, phone number, your job title, the dates you worked, and your reason for leaving. If you were laid off, write "laid off" or "reduction in force." If you quit, explain why. If you were fired, describe what happened without arguing — just the facts.

The state will ask about any income you earned in the week you are filing for. Report it honestly. Earnings reduce your benefit that week, but they do not disqualify you. Once you submit, you will see a confirmation number. Write it down. The state will then contact your employer to verify your work history and earnings.

Filing by phone if you cannot use the internet

Call the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation at 605-773-3101. A representative will walk you through the same questions the online form asks. Have your information ready — the call will take 20 to 30 minutes. You will receive a confirmation number at the end. Ask the representative to mail you a copy of your claim so you have a record.

Phone lines are busiest on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you get a busy signal, try again later or file online instead — it is faster and you do not have to wait.

What happens after you file

The state will send you a notice by mail within one to two weeks. This notice tells you whether your claim was approved or denied, and if approved, how much you will receive each week. Read it carefully. If something is wrong — the employer name is misspelled, your dates are off, or the reason for leaving is incorrect — contact the SDLR when ready at 605-773-3101 to correct it.

Once approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to collect. You can do this online or by phone. The state will ask whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you are still looking for work. Answer truthfully. If you worked and earned money, report it — your benefit will be reduced by a portion of what you earned, but you may still receive a partial payment.

Payments are sent by direct deposit or debit card, depending on how you set it up when you filed. Most people receive their first payment within two weeks of approval.

Reasons your claim might be denied

The most common reason is that you did not earn enough in your base period. South Dakota requires at least $1,500 in total wages during the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. If you worked part-time or started a job recently, you may not meet this threshold.

Another common reason is the reason you left work. If you quit without a reason the state considers valid, or if you were fired for willful misconduct (deliberately breaking a rule), you will be denied. If you were fired for poor performance or inability to do the job, you can still collect. If you quit because of unsafe conditions, harassment, or a significant pay cut, you may still collect even though you quit.

If you did not work in South Dakota or for a South Dakota employer, you cannot file there. You would file in the state where you worked instead.

What to do if your claim is denied

You have 30 days from the date on the denial notice to file an appeal. Write a letter to the address on the notice explaining why you think the decision is wrong. Include any documents that support your case — a layoff letter, an email from your boss, a doctor's note, anything that proves your version of events. Mail it or deliver it in person to the SDLR office.

The state will schedule a hearing, usually by phone. You will speak to a hearing officer who will ask you questions about your job and why you left. Your employer may also participate. Be honest and stick to the facts. If you win the appeal, benefits are paid back to the date you filed your original claim.

How much you receive and for how long

South Dakota calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings in your base period. The minimum is $25 per week and the maximum is $504 per week as of 2024, though these amounts change yearly. The state takes your highest quarter of earnings and divides it by 26 to estimate your weekly benefit.

You can collect for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year (a 12-month period starting when you file). If you find work before 26 weeks, you stop collecting. If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still unemployed, you cannot collect more unless you return to work and earn enough to establish a new claim.

During times of very high unemployment, the federal government may extend benefits beyond 26 weeks. This is not automatic — the state will notify you if an extension becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I quit my job?

Yes, but only if you quit for a reason the state considers valid. Unsafe working conditions, harassment, a significant cut in pay, or a move that made the job impossible to reach are valid reasons. Quitting because you did not like the job or wanted to try something else is not valid. Be specific about your reason when you file.

What if my employer says I was fired for misconduct?

Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule you knew about — stealing, showing up drunk, or ignoring a direct order after being warned. If your employer claims this, you will have a chance to tell your side at a hearing. If you were fired for poor performance, inability to do the job, or a mistake you did not know was wrong, that is not misconduct and you can still collect.

Do I have to look for work while I collect unemployment?

South Dakota requires you to be able and willing to work and to actively search for work. You do not have to prove you applied for jobs each week, but you must be ready to return to work if offered a job. If you turn down a job offer without a good reason, you can lose your benefits.

What if I earned money the week I filed?

Report all earnings on your weekly claim. South Dakota reduces your benefit by a portion of what you earned, but you may still receive a partial payment. The exact reduction depends on how much you earned. Always report income honestly — if you do not and the state finds out, you may have to repay benefits and face penalties.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved, you will receive your first payment within two weeks. If there are questions about your claim, it may take longer. Once you are approved, file your weekly claim on time each week to avoid delays.