Benefit programs in South Dakota (2026)
For families in South Dakota we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of South Dakota's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
South Dakota families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 4 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. South Dakota also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly & Disabled (SDCL Ch. 10-6A). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. South Dakota also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does South Dakota Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. South Dakota runs 4 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "SD Assistive Daily Living Services Waiver (0264.R06.00)" and "SD CHOICES Waiver (0044.R09.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask South Dakota Medicaid, or call 1-833-663-9673.
- SD Assistive Daily Living Services Waiver (0264.R06.00)
- SD CHOICES Waiver (0044.R09.00)
- SD Family Support 360 Waiver (0338.R05.00)
- SD Home and Community-Based Options and Person Centered Excellence (HOPE) Waiver (0189.R07.00)
See how South Dakota's Medicaid rules compare with other states
What property tax relief is available to seniors in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly & Disabled (SDCL Ch. 10-6A). Freezes the assessed (full-and-true) value of the homestead (house, garage, and up to one acre) at the value in the year of qualification, so the owner keeps paying tax on the lower frozen value as market values rise. Property's full-and-true value must be less than $514,500 (2026; base $500,000, indexed) unless previously qualified. Requires 5-year SD residency/ownership, residence in the home at least 200 days in the prior year, and annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer. That figure is confirmed against South Dakota's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). South Dakota runs 4 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-833-663-9673 and ask which apply to you.
7 programs in South Dakota. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Sales or Property Tax Refund for Senior Citizens & Citizens with Disabilities (SDCL Ch. 10-18A) GOV | Annual refund of a portion of the sales OR property taxes the person paid, on a graduated scale based on income; the Department calculates both the sales-tax and property-tax refund and pays whichever is larger (an individual cannot receive both). Funded by yearly appropriation; refund checks mailed beginning in September. Applications accepted May 1-July 1 (July 1, 2026 deadline for 2025). | Official source → |
| Assessment Freeze for the Elderly & Disabled (SDCL Ch. 10-6A) GOV VERIFIED | Freezes the assessed (full-and-true) value of the homestead (house, garage, and up to one acre) at the value in the year of qualification, so the owner keeps paying tax on the lower frozen value as market values rise. Property's full-and-true value must be less than $514,500 (2026; base $500,000, indexed) unless previously qualified. Requires 5-year SD residency/ownership, residence in the home at least 200 days in the prior year, and annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer. | Official source → |
| Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (SDCL 10-4-40) GOV VERIFIED | The first $200,000 of the full-and-true value of the owner-occupied dwelling (house, garage, and land) is exempt from property tax. Veteran must be rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability; an unremarried surviving spouse also qualifies. No annual application required (continues until property is transferred/sold); apply by November 1 to the County Director of Equalization. Exemption amount increased from $150,000 to $200,000 effective the 2025 assessment year (taxes payable 2026). | Official source → |
| Property Tax Exemption for Paraplegic Veterans (SDCL 10-4-24.10) GOV | 100% property tax exemption (full exemption) on the dwelling (house, garage, and up to one acre) owned and occupied by a paraplegic veteran, a veteran with the loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, or the unremarried surviving spouse. The dwelling must be specifically designed for wheelchair use within the structure. The injury does NOT have to be service-connected. No annual application required; apply by November 1 to the County Director of Equalization. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Reduction for Paraplegics (non-veteran) (SDCL 10-4-24.11 through 10-4-24.13) GOV PDF | Reduces property taxes through the abatement process on a graduated scale depending on income (larger reduction at lower incomes). Property must be owned and occupied by the paraplegic individual (or unremarried surviving spouse) and specifically designed for wheelchair use. Annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer. | Official source → |
| Homestead Exemption Program / Property Tax Deferral (SDCL Ch. 43-31 and SDCL Ch. 10-6C) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Delays (defers) payment of property taxes until the property is sold or transferred; the taxes accumulate as a lien on the property. Two variants: Program 1 (SDCL 43-31) protects a homeowner 70+ with a home assessed at or below $170,000 from tax sale, with deferred taxes accruing 10% interest per year and no income test. Program 2 (SDCL 10-6C) requires age 70+ (or surviving spouse), ownership of the dwelling 3+ years OR SD residency 5+ years, residence 8+ months in the prior year, current on taxes, and meeting the income limits; deferred taxes accrue 4% interest per year. Entering Program 1 makes the applicant ineligible for the property-tax refund program. Annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer. (Note: statewide, 0 Homestead deferral applications were approved for the 2024 assessment year.) | Official source → |
| Property Tax Reduction from Municipal Taxes for the Elderly and Disabled (SDCL Ch. 10-6B) GOV PDF VERIFIED | Reduces the CITY/municipal portion of property taxes the year after application, through abatement, on a graduated scale by income. Single-member household: 100% reduction if income is $0-$16,160; 75% ($16,160-$17,315); 50% ($17,315-$19,623); 25% ($19,623-$20,778); 0% above $20,778. Multi-member household: 100% if $0-$21,355; 75% ($21,355-$22,509); 50% ($22,509-$24,240); 25% ($24,240-$25,395); 0% above $25,395. Requires owning and residing in the property for 5+ years and being within city limits. Only municipalities that pass an enabling ordinance offer it; currently Rapid City is the only participating city. Annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer. | Official source → |
Sales or Property Tax Refund for Senior Citizens & Citizens with Disabilities (SDCL Ch. 10-18A) GOV
- Benefit
Annual refund of a portion of the sales OR property taxes the person paid, on a graduated scale based on income; the Department calculates both the sales-tax and property-tax refund and pays whichever is larger (an individual cannot receive both). Funded by yearly appropriation; refund checks mailed beginning in September. Applications accepted May 1-July 1 (July 1, 2026 deadline for 2025).
- Official source
- Official source →
Assessment Freeze for the Elderly & Disabled (SDCL Ch. 10-6A) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Freezes the assessed (full-and-true) value of the homestead (house, garage, and up to one acre) at the value in the year of qualification, so the owner keeps paying tax on the lower frozen value as market values rise. Property's full-and-true value must be less than $514,500 (2026; base $500,000, indexed) unless previously qualified. Requires 5-year SD residency/ownership, residence in the home at least 200 days in the prior year, and annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer.
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (SDCL 10-4-40) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
The first $200,000 of the full-and-true value of the owner-occupied dwelling (house, garage, and land) is exempt from property tax. Veteran must be rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability; an unremarried surviving spouse also qualifies. No annual application required (continues until property is transferred/sold); apply by November 1 to the County Director of Equalization. Exemption amount increased from $150,000 to $200,000 effective the 2025 assessment year (taxes payable 2026).
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Exemption for Paraplegic Veterans (SDCL 10-4-24.10) GOV
- Benefit
100% property tax exemption (full exemption) on the dwelling (house, garage, and up to one acre) owned and occupied by a paraplegic veteran, a veteran with the loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, or the unremarried surviving spouse. The dwelling must be specifically designed for wheelchair use within the structure. The injury does NOT have to be service-connected. No annual application required; apply by November 1 to the County Director of Equalization.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Reduction for Paraplegics (non-veteran) (SDCL 10-4-24.11 through 10-4-24.13) GOV PDF
- Benefit
Reduces property taxes through the abatement process on a graduated scale depending on income (larger reduction at lower incomes). Property must be owned and occupied by the paraplegic individual (or unremarried surviving spouse) and specifically designed for wheelchair use. Annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer.
- Official source
- Official source →
Homestead Exemption Program / Property Tax Deferral (SDCL Ch. 43-31 and SDCL Ch. 10-6C) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Delays (defers) payment of property taxes until the property is sold or transferred; the taxes accumulate as a lien on the property. Two variants: Program 1 (SDCL 43-31) protects a homeowner 70+ with a home assessed at or below $170,000 from tax sale, with deferred taxes accruing 10% interest per year and no income test. Program 2 (SDCL 10-6C) requires age 70+ (or surviving spouse), ownership of the dwelling 3+ years OR SD residency 5+ years, residence 8+ months in the prior year, current on taxes, and meeting the income limits; deferred taxes accrue 4% interest per year. Entering Program 1 makes the applicant ineligible for the property-tax refund program. Annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer. (Note: statewide, 0 Homestead deferral applications were approved for the 2024 assessment year.)
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Reduction from Municipal Taxes for the Elderly and Disabled (SDCL Ch. 10-6B) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
Reduces the CITY/municipal portion of property taxes the year after application, through abatement, on a graduated scale by income. Single-member household: 100% reduction if income is $0-$16,160; 75% ($16,160-$17,315); 50% ($17,315-$19,623); 25% ($19,623-$20,778); 0% above $20,778. Multi-member household: 100% if $0-$21,355; 75% ($21,355-$22,509); 50% ($22,509-$24,240); 25% ($24,240-$25,395); 0% above $25,395. Requires owning and residing in the property for 5+ years and being within city limits. Only municipalities that pass an enabling ordinance offer it; currently Rapid City is the only participating city. Annual application by April 1 to the county treasurer.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in South Dakota?
Up to $3,437 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum South Dakota's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $2,400 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/SD.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In South Dakota the published heating maximum is $3,437. Crisis maximum: $2,400. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in South Dakota: South Dakota has no state individual income tax, so Social Security benefits are not taxed at the state level. (Federal income tax on Social Security may still apply.)
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: South Dakota levies no individual income tax of any kind, so pensions (public, private, federal, and military), IRA distributions, and 401(k) withdrawals are entirely untaxed at the state level. There is no state exclusion amount because there is no state income tax to exclude income from. The state's Department of Revenue administers sales/use, property, and excise taxes but not an individual income tax.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in South Dakota too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in South Dakota for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-833-663-9673. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in South Dakota. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 833-663-9673.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-833-663-9673Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.