How to Apply for TANF in South Dakota

South Dakota splits its TANF application into two separate tracks that run in parallel: an employment component handled by specialists at Department of Social Services (DSS) offices or Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) local offices, and an eligibility component handled by caseworkers at your local DSS office. Unless you're exempt (for example, caring for an infant under 12 weeks or already approved for SSI), you start with the employment specialist first, since TANF here is explicitly framed as a work program. Recipients sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement committing to find and keep work, and benefits are capped at 60 lifetime months, counted across any state.

Updated August 2026

1. 1

   Apply online through the Economic Assistance Portal

   Start an application at eaportal.sd.gov, South Dakota's online portal for economic assistance programs.

2. 2

   Or start with an employment specialist at a local office

   Begin the work component of the application at a DSS office in a reservation area or a Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) local office, unless you qualify for an exemption.

3. 3

   Complete the eligibility review with a DSS caseworker

   A caseworker at your local DSS office handles the financial eligibility portion of your application.

4. 4

   Sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement

   You must agree in writing that TANF is temporary and work-focused, and commit to program conditions like keeping appointments and following your work plan.

5. 5

   Build a Personal Responsibility Plan with your employment specialist

   Your employment specialist will assess your work history, education, housing, transportation, and child care needs to set your required weekly work hours (30 hours generally, or 20 hours if you have a child under six).

Verified against the official South Dakota TANF agency site. View source