South Dakota's unemployment system and who can file

South Dakota's unemployment insurance program is run by the Department of Labor and Regulation, Unemployment Insurance Division. You file directly with them—there is no separate federal portal for South Dakota residents. The program covers workers who lost jobs through no fault of their own: layoffs, business closures, reduction in hours, or being fired for reasons unrelated to misconduct.

Self-employed people, gig workers, and independent contractors do not may have access to for regular unemployment in South Dakota. However, if you worked as a W-2 employee at any point in the past 18 months, you may still be covered even if you have since taken gig work. The key is whether your most recent employer paid into the state unemployment fund on your behalf.

South Dakota has one of the shorter benefit periods in the country: the maximum is 16 weeks of payments per year, and the amount you receive depends on your earnings in the base period (typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file). The state does not have a waiting week, so you can receive payment for your first week of unemployment.

Key Takeaways

  • File with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation online at uiclaimant.sd.gov or by phone at 605-773-3101 within two weeks of losing your job to avoid losing back pay.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and your most recent pay stub or W-2 ready before you start.
  • South Dakota pays a maximum of 16 weeks of benefits per year, with weekly amounts ranging based on your prior earnings, and you must report any work or income each week.
  • If you are denied, you have 10 days from the denial letter to file an appeal with the Department of Labor.
  • Part-time work, temporary jobs, and self-employment income must be reported weekly or your benefits may be reduced or stopped.

Filing your claim online or by phone

The fastest way to file is online at uiclaimant.sd.gov. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your most recent employer (company name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there). Have your most recent pay stub or W-2 in front of you so you can confirm your earnings.

The online form takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You will answer questions about why you left your job, whether you were fired, whether you quit, and whether you are looking for work. Answer honestly—the state will contact your employer to verify the reason for separation, and lying can result in overpayment demands or fraud charges.

If you cannot file online, call the Unemployment Insurance Division at 605-773-3101. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. A representative will take your information over the phone and file the claim for you. File as soon as possible after losing your job; claims filed more than two weeks after separation may lose back pay.

What information you need before you start

Gather these documents and details before you open the online form or call:

  • Your Social Security number and date of birth
  • Your driver's license or state ID number
  • Your most recent employer's name, street address, phone number, and the dates you worked there (month and year)
  • Your job title and a brief description of what you did
  • Your most recent pay stub or W-2 (to confirm your earnings)
  • The reason you are no longer working (laid off, business closed, hours cut, fired, or quit)
  • If you were fired: the reason given by your employer
  • If you quit: the reason you left
  • Your bank account number and routing number if you want direct deposit (optional but faster)

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have information for all of them. The state will contact each one to verify your employment and earnings.

Weekly reporting and how much you will receive

Once your claim is approved, you must report your weekly status every week to continue receiving payments. You can report online at uiclaimant.sd.gov or by phone. You will be asked whether you worked, earned any income, or turned down a job offer. Failure to report stops your payments until you do.

South Dakota's weekly benefit amount is based on your average weekly earnings in the base period. The maximum weekly payment is set each year; for 2024 it is $516 per week. Most people receive less. The state calculates your benefit by taking your highest quarter of earnings in the base period and dividing by 26, then explore a percentage. If you earned $10,000 in your highest quarter, you would receive roughly $385 per week (before taxes).

If you work part-time or take a temporary job while receiving benefits, you must report the income. South Dakota allows you to earn up to 30 percent of your weekly benefit amount without a reduction. Anything above that reduces your payment dollar-for-dollar. If your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $150, you keep the full $400. If you earn $250, your payment drops to $300.

Approval timeline and what to expect

Most claims are processed within 7 to 10 business days if all information is correct and your employer does not dispute the claim. You will receive a notice in the mail stating whether you were approved or denied, and the amount of your weekly payment. Payments are issued by debit card (the state will mail you a card) or direct deposit if you provided banking information.

Your employer has 10 days from the date the state sends them notice of your claim to respond. If they say you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, the state will contact you to explain your side. Misconduct in South Dakota means willful or negligent disregard of the employer's interests—not straightforward making a mistake or performing poorly. If there is a dispute, you will be notified and given a chance to respond before a decision is made.

Once approved, payments are issued weekly on a set day. Check the debit card or your bank account to confirm the deposit. If a payment is missing or late, call 605-773-3101 when ready.

Reasons you may be denied and how to appeal

The most common reason for denial in South Dakota is that you quit your job without good cause. The state defines good cause narrowly: unsafe working conditions, a significant cut in pay or hours, or harassment. Wanting a different job, disagreeing with management, or leaving to care for a family member usually does not may have access to.

You may also be denied if you were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately or recklessly ignored your employer's rules or interests. Being late, missing shifts, or poor performance alone are not misconduct unless you were warned and continued the behavior.

If you are denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. You have 10 days from the date of the letter to file an appeal. File online at uiclaimant.sd.gov or mail a written appeal to the Department of Labor and Regulation, Unemployment Insurance Division, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501. Include your claim number (on the denial letter) and explain why you believe the decision is wrong.

An appeals examiner will review your case and may hold a hearing by phone. You can bring witnesses or documents to support your case. The examiner will issue a written decision within a few weeks. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Board of Appeals.

Work search requirements and other rules

South Dakota requires you to be able and available to work and to actively search for a job. You do not have to document each process or interview, but you must be prepared to describe your search efforts if asked. If you turn down a suitable job offer without good reason, your benefits can be stopped.

You cannot receive unemployment if you are in school full-time, are self-employed, or are receiving workers' compensation for the same period. If you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits, your unemployment payment may be reduced or withheld depending on your age and earnings.

If you move out of South Dakota, you can still receive benefits if you continue to meet the work search requirement and report weekly. However, if you move to another state, that state's unemployment program may take over your claim, and the rules may be different.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved within 7 to 10 business days and you report your weekly status on time, your first payment is issued within 2 to 3 weeks of filing. South Dakota does not have a waiting week, so you are paid for your first week of unemployment. Delays happen if your employer disputes the claim or if information is missing from your process.

Can I receive unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Yes. Lack of work or a reduction in hours is one of the clearest reasons to receive unemployment. You do not have to be fired; a layoff counts. File as soon as your employer tells you the layoff is happening, even if you have not yet stopped working.

What happens if I find a job while my claim is pending?

Tell the Department of Labor when ready. If your new job starts before your claim is approved, your claim may be closed. If it starts after approval, you must report the income weekly. Depending on how much you earn, your unemployment payment may be reduced or stopped.

Can I appeal a denial if I missed the 10-day important date?

South Dakota allows late appeals only if you have good cause for missing the important date, such as illness or a mail delay. Contact the Department of Labor at 605-773-3101 to ask. Do not wait; the sooner you request a late appeal, the better your chances.

Do I have to pay taxes on my unemployment benefits?

Yes. Unemployment benefits are taxable income. The state does not automatically withhold taxes, but you can request withholding when you file your claim or by contacting the Department of Labor. Many people choose to withhold 10 percent to avoid a tax bill at the end of the year.