Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in South Dakota. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in South Dakota)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (South Dakota SHIP)
South Dakota's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is SHIINE (Senior Health Information and Insurance Education), administered by the South Dakota Department of Human Services. SHIINE provides free, confidential, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their families: eligibility and enrollment, Part D drug-plan comparisons, Medigap (supplemental) insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and help applying for cost-saving programs.
SHIINE statewide: 1-800-536-8197 (also 605-333-3314) SHIINE: shiine.net SD DHS SHIINE page: dhs.sd.gov/en/ltss/shiine
Medicaid in South Dakota
South Dakota Medicaid is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS). For seniors, it covers Long-Term Care (nursing-facility care for stays longer than 30 days) and home and community-based care through the HOPE Waiver, which serves residents who are elderly (65 and older) or disabled and lets them receive care at home and in the community. Because the HOPE Waiver is not an entitlement, a waiting list can form.
How to apply: online, by mail, or in person through your local Department of Social Services office. For help and information, you can also call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673. Be ready with Social Security and Medicare cards, income and bank records (long-term care reviews can look back several years), property deeds, and insurance policies.
SD DSS Medical Programs: dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/medical_programs.aspx
Prescription help
South Dakota does not operate a broad State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) for all seniors separate from Medicaid. Options available:
Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that substantially reduces Part D prescription drug costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov. BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and additional savings. SHIINE counselors (1-800-536-8197) can help you check Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
South Dakota's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Department of Social Services. It helps pay home heating costs (natural gas, electric, propane, fuel oil, wood), with crisis help for emergencies like a shutoff or broken heating equipment, plus weatherization. The benefit does not have to be repaid.
Eligibility: income limits depend on household size and reset each year. Households with members who are elderly (60 and older), disabled, or have young children often receive priority. Confirm the current income limits with the South Dakota Department of Social Services or by calling 211.
How to apply: apply through the South Dakota Department of Social Services LIHEAP office or your local DSS office. You can also call 211 for help finding the nearest application site.
SD DSS, Low Income Energy Assistance: dss.sd.gov
Property tax relief (South Dakota)
South Dakota offers senior property tax help through the Department of Revenue and your county treasurer:
South Dakota Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled: freezes the assessed (taxable) value of a qualifying owner-occupied home so that rising assessments do not increase your taxable value. You must be 65 years of age or older, or disabled as defined by the Social Security Act. For 2025 income, the limits are less than $56,595 for a single-member household and less than $66,885 for a multiple-member household. For the 2026 application cycle, a home with a full and true market value of $514,500 or more is not eligible unless the applicant received the freeze on that home in a prior year. You must have owned the home and been a South Dakota resident for at least five years, and lived in the home at least 200 days of the prior year. Apply each year with your local county treasurer by the April 1 deadline. Because these income limits and the value cap reset annually, confirm the current figures with the Department of Revenue or your county treasurer.
South Dakota Sales or Property Tax Refund for Senior Citizens and Citizens with a Disability: a yearly refund of sales or property taxes, calculated based on income. The Department of Revenue begins issuing refund checks at the beginning of September. Income limits apply and change each year, so contact the Department of Revenue at 1-800-829-9188 to confirm whether you qualify.
SD Department of Revenue, property tax relief programs: dor.sd.gov/individuals/taxes/property-tax/relief-programs
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
South Dakota's aging services are coordinated by the Department of Human Services, Division of Long Term Services and Supports, and reached through Dakota at Home.
Dakota at Home (Aging and Disability Resource Connection): 1-833-663-9673 Find services through the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
Services available through the network:
- Congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
- In-home care, personal care, and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support
- Transportation assistance
- Long-term care ombudsman services for residents of care facilities
Legal aid: free civil legal help for older South Dakotans is available through East River Legal Services and Dakota Plains Legal Services (dpls.org). You can also reach legal help through Dakota at Home or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently asked questions
What is South Dakota's SHIP program? South Dakota's SHIP is SHIINE (Senior Health Information and Insurance Education), run by the Department of Human Services. Trained counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help statewide, covering enrollment, drug-plan comparisons, Medigap, and cost-savings programs. Reach it at 1-800-536-8197 (also 605-333-3314) or at shiine.net.
Does South Dakota offer property tax relief for seniors? Yes. The Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled freezes your home's taxable value if you are 65 or older (or disabled) and meet income, value, and residency rules (2025 income limits are less than $56,595 single and less than $66,885 for multiple-member households; the 2026 value cap is $514,500), and you apply with your county treasurer by April 1. Separately, the Sales or Property Tax Refund program refunds part of sales or property taxes based on income, with checks issued starting in September. Both are through the Department of Revenue (1-800-829-9188). Confirm current income limits and the value cap, which reset annually, before relying on them.
How do South Dakota seniors get help with heating bills? Through LIHEAP, run by the Department of Social Services. It helps pay heating costs and provides crisis help and weatherization, and the benefit does not have to be repaid. Households with elderly or disabled members are a priority group. Apply through your local DSS office or call 211.
How does a South Dakota senior apply for Medicaid? Apply online, by mail, or in person through your local Department of Social Services office, and call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673 for help. The HOPE Waiver can provide in-home and community care for residents 65 and older (or disabled) who qualify, though a waitlist may apply.
Sources
- SD DHS, Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE): https://dhs.sd.gov/en/ltss/shiine (Verified June 13, 2026)
- SHIP National directory, South Dakota: https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/south-dakota/ (Verified June 13, 2026)
- SD DSS, Medical Programs (Medicaid): https://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/medical_programs.aspx (Verified June 13, 2026)
- SD DSS / LIHEAP Clearinghouse, South Dakota profile: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/SD.htm (Verified June 13, 2026)
- SD Department of Revenue, Property Tax Relief Programs: https://dor.sd.gov/individuals/taxes/property-tax/relief-programs/ (Verified June 13, 2026)
- SD Department of Revenue, Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled: https://dor.sd.gov/newsroom/assessment-freeze-for-the-elderly-disabled/ (Verified June 13, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.