South Dakota Unemployment Benefits: Who Qualifies, How Much, and How to Apply
South Dakota unemployment: can you get benefits if fired or you quit, weekly benefit amounts, how many weeks, work search rules, how to apply and appeal.
Quick answers for South Dakota
- If you were fired
- If you were discharged, you may be denied benefits. The department decides based on information from you and your employer. SD DLR, Reemployment Assistance Claimant Handbook, "Requalification" and glossary; Eligibility Requirements page
- Weekly benefit amount
- Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of the wages paid in the highest quarter of your base period, up to a maximum tied to the state's average weekly wage. Effective July 5, 2026, weekly benefits range from $28 to $575. SD DLR, Benefit Amount/Wage Requirements
- How many weeks
- The most you can receive in a benefit year is one-third of your total base-period wages, up to 26 times your weekly benefit (26 weeks). SD DLR, Benefit Amount/Wage Requirements
- How to apply
- File online any time through the RA Benefits Portal, or by phone at 605-626-3179 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Central). SD DLR, Things to Know Before You File a Claim; Report Work and Earnings
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Who qualifies
| If you were fired | If you were discharged, you may be denied benefits. The department decides based on information from you and your employer. Misconduct means careless or deliberate behavior that gets you fired or suspended, such as dishonesty related to the job, unexcused absences or violating company policy. A disqualification ends once you have worked a new covered job and earned at least your weekly benefit amount in each of at least six calendar weeks. |
|---|---|
| If you quit | If you quit, you may be denied benefits. The department decides based on information from you and your employer and on South Dakota law. Like a misconduct disqualification, it ends once you have worked a new covered job and earned at least your weekly benefit amount in each of at least six calendar weeks. |
| Layoffs and reduced hours | If you work less than full-time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you may get partial benefits. This applies if you are still looking for full-time work, report your hours and earnings, worked under 40 hours that week, and meet the other requirements. Workers on reduced hours must still search for work. |
| Earnings needed to qualify | You must have been paid covered wages in two or more quarters of your base period. Your highest quarter must be at least $728. Your wages in the other three quarters combined must be at least 20 times your weekly benefit. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you do not qualify that way, an alternative base period of the last four completed quarters can be used, and there is a special base period for long-term work injuries. |
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | You may be denied benefits if you are self-employed and working more than 40 hours per week, and becoming self-employed full time can stop your benefits. Self-employed people and corporate officers who file have the same reporting rules as other claimants: report all hours worked, even unpaid, and all earnings, with self-employment reported before expenses. Seeking or working in self-employment or independent contract work does not count as a weekly job contact. |
How much and how long
| Weekly benefit amount | Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of the wages paid in the highest quarter of your base period, up to a maximum tied to the state's average weekly wage. Effective July 5, 2026, weekly benefits range from $28 to $575. Maximum $575 per week, effective July 5, 2026. |
|---|---|
| How many weeks | The most you can receive in a benefit year is one-third of your total base-period wages, up to 26 times your weekly benefit (26 weeks). |
| Waiting week | Yes. Everyone serves one unpaid waiting week per benefit year. It is the first weekly request for payment you file after you are found eligible. |
| Working part-time on benefits | 75% of your earnings over $25 is deducted from your weekly benefit. You get no benefits for a week in which your gross earnings equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, or in which you work 40 hours or more. Source: SD DLR, Report Work and Earnings |
| Severance and vacation pay | Vacation pay, annual leave, wages in lieu of notice, severance, holiday pay, back pay, termination or dismissal pay, sick leave pay and temporary partial workers' compensation are deducted dollar for dollar. They are applied to the weeks the payment represents, starting from your last day of work. Pensions, annuities and retirement payments from a base-period employer are deducted, but only the part paid for by the employer. Military service-connected disability payments are not deducted. Source: SD DLR, Deductions from Benefits |
Applying and keeping benefits
| How to apply | File online any time through the RA Benefits Portal, or by phone at 605-626-3179 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Central). Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your work history for the last 18 months with each employer's details, pay rate and reason you left. After filing, submit a weekly request for payment for each Sunday-to-Saturday week, reporting all hours and gross earnings. |
|---|---|
| Work search requirements | Unless you are told otherwise, you must make a good-faith effort to find full-time work. Do at least two work search activities each week, such as submitting an application or resume, attending a job interview, or taking part in a DLR-approved reemployment program. Report each contact's details when you file and keep records, because searches are verified and audited. You must also register with the state workforce system. You are exempt if your employer has given you a recall date within 10 weeks, if you get work through a union, or in certain seasonal recall situations. |
| Appealing a denial | You must appeal in writing within 15 days of the date your determination was mailed. Mail it to the Appeals Section, Reemployment Assistance Division, PO Box 4730, Aberdeen, SD 57402-4730, fax it to 605-626-2322, or deliver it to a job service office. Phone and email appeals are not accepted. An administrative law judge holds the hearing, usually by phone. You can then ask for a Department review within 15 days of the hearing decision. Keep filing weekly requests while you appeal. |
| Logging in and filing weekly claims | South Dakota calls unemployment "Reemployment Assistance" (RA). The Department of Labor and Regulation's RA Benefits Portal is where you request weekly benefit payments online, 24/7. Each claim week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you have seven days after the week ends to file for it; make sure you get a confirmation that your request was accepted. You can also request payments by phone, 24/7, at 605-626-3212 using a PIN. After four consecutive weeks without requests, the claim becomes inactive and must be reopened. RA Customer Service: 605-626-2452 (TTY 711). RA Benefits Portal: https://www.sd.gov/rabenefits |
Where to get help in South Dakota
Unemployment Benefits FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in South Dakota?
If you were discharged, you may be denied benefits. The department decides based on information from you and your employer. Misconduct means careless or deliberate behavior that gets you fired or suspended, such as dishonesty related to the job, unexcused absences or violating company policy. A disqualification ends once you have worked a new covered job and earned at least your weekly benefit amount in each of at least six calendar weeks.
Can you get unemployment if you quit in South Dakota?
If you quit, you may be denied benefits. The department decides based on information from you and your employer and on South Dakota law. Like a misconduct disqualification, it ends once you have worked a new covered job and earned at least your weekly benefit amount in each of at least six calendar weeks.
Can you get unemployment if your hours were cut in South Dakota?
If you work less than full-time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you may get partial benefits. This applies if you are still looking for full-time work, report your hours and earnings, worked under 40 hours that week, and meet the other requirements. Workers on reduced hours must still search for work.
How much do you need to have earned to get unemployment in South Dakota?
You must have been paid covered wages in two or more quarters of your base period. Your highest quarter must be at least $728. Your wages in the other three quarters combined must be at least 20 times your weekly benefit. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you do not qualify that way, an alternative base period of the last four completed quarters can be used, and there is a special base period for long-term work injuries.
How much is unemployment in South Dakota?
Your weekly benefit is 1/26 of the wages paid in the highest quarter of your base period, up to a maximum tied to the state's average weekly wage. Effective July 5, 2026, weekly benefits range from $28 to $575.
How long can you get unemployment in South Dakota?
The most you can receive in a benefit year is one-third of your total base-period wages, up to 26 times your weekly benefit (26 weeks).
Is there a waiting week for unemployment in South Dakota?
Yes. Everyone serves one unpaid waiting week per benefit year. It is the first weekly request for payment you file after you are found eligible.
What are the work search requirements for unemployment in South Dakota?
Unless you are told otherwise, you must make a good-faith effort to find full-time work. Do at least two work search activities each week, such as submitting an application or resume, attending a job interview, or taking part in a DLR-approved reemployment program. Report each contact's details when you file and keep records, because searches are verified and audited. You must also register with the state workforce system. You are exempt if your employer has given you a recall date within 10 weeks, if you get work through a union, or in certain seasonal recall situations.
Does severance pay affect unemployment in South Dakota?
Vacation pay, annual leave, wages in lieu of notice, severance, holiday pay, back pay, termination or dismissal pay, sick leave pay and temporary partial workers' compensation are deducted dollar for dollar. They are applied to the weeks the payment represents, starting from your last day of work. Pensions, annuities and retirement payments from a base-period employer are deducted, but only the part paid for by the employer. Military service-connected disability payments are not deducted.
How do I apply for unemployment in South Dakota?
File online any time through the RA Benefits Portal, or by phone at 605-626-3179 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. Central). Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your work history for the last 18 months with each employer's details, pay rate and reason you left. After filing, submit a weekly request for payment for each Sunday-to-Saturday week, reporting all hours and gross earnings.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in South Dakota?
You must appeal in writing within 15 days of the date your determination was mailed. Mail it to the Appeals Section, Reemployment Assistance Division, PO Box 4730, Aberdeen, SD 57402-4730, fax it to 605-626-2322, or deliver it to a job service office. Phone and email appeals are not accepted. An administrative law judge holds the hearing, usually by phone. You can then ask for a Department review within 15 days of the hearing decision. Keep filing weekly requests while you appeal.
Can you work part-time and collect unemployment in South Dakota?
75% of your earnings over $25 is deducted from your weekly benefit. You get no benefits for a week in which your gross earnings equal or exceed your weekly benefit amount, or in which you work 40 hours or more.
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in South Dakota?
You may be denied benefits if you are self-employed and working more than 40 hours per week, and becoming self-employed full time can stop your benefits. Self-employed people and corporate officers who file have the same reporting rules as other claimants: report all hours worked, even unpaid, and all earnings, with self-employment reported before expenses. Seeking or working in self-employment or independent contract work does not count as a weekly job contact.
Where do I log in to my unemployment claim in South Dakota?
South Dakota calls unemployment "Reemployment Assistance" (RA). The Department of Labor and Regulation's RA Benefits Portal is where you request weekly benefit payments online, 24/7. Each claim week runs Sunday through Saturday, and you have seven days after the week ends to file for it; make sure you get a confirmation that your request was accepted. You can also request payments by phone, 24/7, at 605-626-3212 using a PIN. After four consecutive weeks without requests, the claim becomes inactive and must be reopened. RA Customer Service: 605-626-2452 (TTY 711).
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