Learn About South Dakota Food Stamps

Updated on 09/30/2022

Food stamps in South Dakota are administered by the state Department of Social Services (DSS). These benefits, which are officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help low-income families afford food. In general, SNAP food stamps are not meant to cover the entire cost of groceries for a family each month. Instead, these benefits are supposed to supplement a family’s grocery budget and help them buy more healthy food to cook at home.

In order to receive assistance from the SNAP program in South Dakota, you must meet all the eligibility requirements and submit an application to the DSS. Once you are approved, you will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card to buy food. Below, learn more about meeting the eligibility requirements, applying for benefits and using your EBT card.

Learn About South Dakota Food Stamps Requirements

The requirements for food stamps eligibility in South Dakota are based on a few different factors, which include your income level, financial resources, family size and citizenship status. In certain cases, your disability status, age and/or employment status may also affect your eligibility for the program.

No matter what, you need to provide a Social Security number (SSN) in order to apply. Additionally, you need to be a resident of South Dakota to get benefits from the DSS. These requirements apply to all applicants who wish to receive this type of assistance.

As a general rule, you can only meet food stamp qualifications if you are a U.S. citizen or are legally present in the U.S. In the event that your household has both legal and non-legal residents, SNAP assistance will be granted for part of your family. Moreover, the total amount of benefits you receive is based on the number of people who are in the U.S. legally.

When assessing the program’s eligibility requirements, be mindful that meeting the South Dakota SNAP income guidelines is very important. In general, your gross (before taxes) income must be at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In addition, your net (after taxes and deductions) income must be at or below 100 percent of the FPL. Learn more about the income requirements by reading our free guide.

If there are members of your household who are seniors or have a disability, you might be able to qualify with a slightly higher income. Moreover, your household would be allowed to deduct more expenses related to the senior or person with a disability, such as medical bills that are not covered by your insurance plan.

In addition to meeting the food stamp income guidelines, you must also prove that you have a limited amount of financial resources. These resources include things such as bank accounts, savings bonds, stocks, cash and other similar assets.

If you are an able-bodied adult without dependents, your SNAP eligibility will also take into consideration your employment status. In most cases, you must meet work expectations if you are between 18 and 59 years of age and do not have a disability. If you are currently working, you may already meet these requirements. Otherwise, you may need to register for work in order to meet these rules related to employment.

How to Apply for Food Stamps in South Dakota

If you meet the qualifications for this program, you may apply for SNAP in South Dakota at any time. Because it may take up to a month for your application to be fully processed, it may be in your best interest to apply as soon as you are eligible. In certain emergency situations, you may be able to get help more quickly. For example, your food stamp application may be processed within a week if you have extremely low income and very limited financial resources.

It is possible to apply for food stamps through several different methods. However, most families find that it is easiest to apply for food stamps online. This online application also allows petitioners to renew their benefits, report changes to the DSS or apply for other services, such as Medicaid.

To apply online, you must set up an account and enter the required information on your form. If you do not have all of the required information on hand, you can still apply by providing just your name, address and signature. However, doing so may delay the application process, because the DSS will still need information about your household and income level to complete its assessment of your eligibility.

Alternatively, you can apply for food stamps using a paper form. To do so, download and print the application form or contact the local office in your county to obtain a copy. Then, a filled-out food stamp application form can be sent to the DSS by mail or returned to a local office in person.

Once you apply for SNAP in South Dakota, you will need to provide documentation and undergo an interview. This part of the process is used to verify the information on your application. Things you may need to provide include:

  • The SSN of each household member
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of citizenship or legal status
  • Pay stubs or tax returns
  • Bank statements or other proof of resources
  • Proof of expenses that may qualify as deductibles

You can receive benefits starting from the date when you submitted your application. In other words, your benefits begin based on your original application date, not the date when your form is processed and approved.

Learn About SNAP Benefits in South Dakota

Food stamp benefits may be used to buy a wide variety of items at grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other approved establishments that sell food. More often than not, SNAP benefits are used to buy:

  • Meat, fish and eggs
  • Dairy products and non-dairy alternatives
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Bread, cereal and pasta
  • Snacks and beverages
  • Seeds or plants that can be grown at home

You are not allowed to use SNAP food benefits to buy certain items or shop at certain establishments. For example, you may not spend your benefits on alcohol, tobacco, non-food items or hot prepared foods. Moreover, SNAP benefits cannot be used in casinos, cruise ships or most restaurants.

As a final note, you are not allowed to withdraw SNAP food benefits as cash. Certain other types of benefits may be taken out as cash, but SNAP funds cannot. Download our free guide for more information on using your benefits.

Contact Information

Name: South Dakota Department of Social Services

Phone Number: (877) 999-5612

Address: 700 Governors Dr, Pierre, SD 57501

Cabinet Secretary: Laurie Fille

Last Updated: September 30, 2022