How To File For South Dakota Unemployment
This page provides information on how to file for unemployment in South Dakota. If you lost your job or your hours were reduced at no fault of your own, you may qualify to receive unemployment benefits in your state. Review the information below, if you still have questions or issues about these benefits, then we suggest to contact your local South Dakota Unemployment Department for assistance. It is important that you file your new claim right away because South Dakota unemployment insurance are not retroactive.
South Dakota unemployment insurance benefits
You will need the following information to file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits.
- Social Security Number
- Driver's license number or other state identification number
- Your employment history for the last 18 months, including each employer's name, address and phone number, dates of employment (month and year), pay rate and reason you are no longer working for the employer
- The name and local number of your union hall, if you obtain work through the union
- Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a US Citizen
- Your SF-8 and SF-50 forms if you are a federal employee
- Your DD214 if you served in the military
- If you worked for Non-South Dakota employers you must have an accurate mailing address and telephone number for them
After you file for benefits you will receive in the mail:
- A Monetary Determination of Benefits showing what your weekly benefit amount will be and your total amount of benefits, if you are monetarily eligible
- A Claimant Checklist with instructions on how and when to file a weekly request for payment
- The Facts About Unemployment Insurance Benefits handbook with instructions and answers to many of your questions. You're responsible for knowing the requirements and following the rules
Watch for and read any information they send to you. The information may be time sensitive and affect your eligibility for benefits. Once you have filed your claim, it will be reviewed to determine if your circumstances meet the eligibility requirements of the unemployment insurance program. The information you provide is verified to ensure only those entitled to benefits receive them. It is important to always give complete and true information. Misrepresenting or knowingly withholding information is considered fraud. If you commit fraud you may be denied benefits for future weeks, be required to pay back benefits you received, and be subject to additional penalties.
You will receive a final eligibility determination by mail within 21 days of receiving your Monetary Determination. If you are deemed eligible, the first weekly request for payment you file will be used as your non-paid waiting week. Everyone serves one waiting week per benefit year.
File unemployment onlineYou can file for unemployment benefits online at sd.uiclaims.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online filing is the fastest way to apply for benefits. If you exit the application before receiving a confirmation number, any information you entered on the application will be lost. Your application will not be accepted unless you receive a confirmation number.
File unemployment by phoneFile by telephone Monday through Friday 8am to 4:20pm CST by contacting the Claims Call Center at 605-626-3179. Speech and hearing impaired applicants can call the Relay Service of South Dakota at 800-877-1113. The Call Center is closed on all state holidays.
If you worked in a state other than South Dakota and now live in South Dakota, an interstate claim can be filed against the state where you worked and earned wages during the last 18-month period. Filing information, including telephone numbers to call can be obtained by contacting Customer Service at 605-626-2452. The state where you worked will make all determinations on your eligibility according to its laws and regulations.
File weekly request for payment
You must file a weekly request for payment each week to receive benefits. You have two options for filing the weekly request, online or by telephone with the automated phone system. You must answer questions to determine your eligibility for benefits for each week you file. Before filing, review the important information below.
The Unemployment claim week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday at midnight. Your weekly request for payment will be filed for the previous week. You cannot file for the week until it is over. They encourage you to file your claim on Sunday or as soon as possible after the Saturday week-ending date.
Your failure to file a weekly request for payment in a timely manner could result in a denial of benefits. You have seven days from the end of the week to file for the previous week. All weekly requests for payment are recorded at Central Standard Time. If you do not file your weekly request for payment within that one week filing time, you will need to call Customer Service at 605-626-2452. You should file a weekly request for payment every week, even if you are doing any of the following:
- Waiting to find out if you qualify for benefits
- Working and have hours and wages to report
- Appealing a denial of benefits
The first eligible weekly request for payment you file will be counted as your "waiting week". You will not be paid benefits for your waiting week. Everyone serves one waiting week per benefit year.
If you meet all the eligibility requirements and file your request each week, you should receive your first payment within three weeks after you apply for benefits. Payments are processed within two business days. If there is an issue with your weekly request that prevents your payment from being issued, you will be notified. Your benefits cannot be paid until the issue has been resolved. If you have questions, contact Customer Service at 605-626-2452.
Confirmation of your weekly request for payment
When filing your weekly request for payment, you must receive confirmation that your request has been accepted. Your request for payment has not been filed if you do not receive confirmation. If this happens, you may re-file your request for payment as long as it is filed within seven days of the end of the week you are claiming.
- File online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Log in to file a weekly request for payment online
- File by phone at 605-626-3212 24 hours a day, seven days a week
File an appeal
You and your employers have the right to appeal any written determinations they make about your unemployment benefits, including:
- Your determination about your benefit amount
- A determination to deny or reduce your benefits
- A determination denying you benefits based on your availability/ability to work
You must file an appeal within 15 days of the date they mailed your determination. If you do not file your appeal within 15 days, you must tell us why you are late in filing. Unless you can show good cause for the late filing, your appeal may be dismissed as untimely. You must submit a written request to the Appeals section by the date listed on your determination notice. You must include the following in your request:
- Your name
- The reason for the appeal
- Your Social Security number
Mail or fax your appeal to:
Appeals Section
Unemployment Insurance Division
SD Department of Labor and Regulation
PO Box 4730
Aberdeen, SD 57402-4730
Fax: 605.626.2322
OR, you may deliver your appeal in person to any South Dakota job service office.
They cannot accept an appeal over the phone or by e-mail. If you appeal a determination, you should continue to file your requests for payment for each week you are unemployed. If the appeal decision is in your favor, you will not be paid for any week you did not file as required. If an employer appeals your right to benefits and the appeal is decided against you, you will be required to repay any benefits received.
