South Dakota Disability Benefits: Learn How to Qualify

Important: We updated this article in November 2023 to make sure all info below is correct. Did you know that if an illness or injury forces you to stop working for at least one year, you may qualify for South Dakota disability? Two federal programs offer assistance to qualifying South Dakotans with disabilities.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages payments and screens each claim for two assistance programs:

1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
2. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Both programs use the same medical criteria to verify your condition makes you unable to work for at least 12 months. You can apply for both programs at once with one checkmark on the claim form. The SSA uses this information to see if you qualify for South Dakota disability payments.

Supplemental Security Income for South Dakota Disability Claimants

SSI provides benefits for low-income Americans who are blind, disabled, or over 65. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements.

We collected the following information about SSI eligibility and payments for residents of the Land of Sunshine below.

1. What are the age requirements for SSI?

If you’re older than 65, you meet the age requirement. Younger South Dakota disability claimants must pass a Disability Determination Services (DDS) medical exam to confirm eligibility. A South Dakota disability lawyer can cover the cost of doctor visits and medical documents if you can’t pay for them yourself.

2. What are the financial eligibility rules for SSI disability?

Whether you’re blind, disabled or 65+, you must meet the program’s financial eligibility requirements:

• Individuals must earn less than $1,550 each month from job wages or other sources. Child support, alimony, earned interest, SNAP, TANF, etc., all count as “monthly income” for SSI.
• Individuals must have total assets under $2,000. That includes money in the bank and items you could sell, like stocks and bonds, lottery tickets, etc. The home you own, your daily vehicle, your wedding ring and other daily living items don’t count toward the asset limit.
• Couples applying for disability must meet combined requirements. That means together you have less than $3,000 in resources and $1,350 in combined monthly income.

3. How Much Does SSI Pay?

If approved, you can expect to receive up to $943 for an individual or $1,415 for couples. In some years, the federal government approves a Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) that could increase the amount you receive.

4. How Long Can I Get SSI Payments?

To continue to get payments, South Dakota disability recipients must pass an update every 3-7 years. If you’re under 65 and the program determines you’re no longer eligible, your payments will stop. If you’re over 65, your monthly benefits continue unless you stop meeting the program’s financial requirements.

SSDI for South Dakota Disability Applicants

SSDI is a federal disability insurance program that American employees pay into with every paycheck. If you work full-time for an employer who withholds FICA or Social Security taxes, you’re covered. If your job doesn’t withhold FICA taxes, you aren’t eligible and should look at SSI benefits.

We gathered information on eligibility for Social Security disability benefits and payments for residents of the Land of Infinite Variety.

1. Who’s Eligible for SSDI?

If you answer “yes” to every question below, you’re eligible to apply for Social Security disability benefits today:

• Have you worked full-time for at least 5 in the last 10 years in jobs that withheld Social Security taxes? Your eligibility lapses if you stop working for 60 months (5 years) because you haven’t been paying FICA taxes.
• Does your doctor expect your health issue to keep you from working for at least 12 months? Your medical condition must prevent you from working for at least a year, or result in death. South Dakota disability applicants who can return to work in months or weeks aren’t eligible.
• Do you see a doctor regularly for routine medical treatment? If not, Disability Determination Services must confirm your medical condition stops you from working for at least 12 months. A South Dakota disability lawyer can obtain medical documents and pay for doctors’ visits if you can’t cover them yourself.
• Are you currently aged 18-66 and not receiving any Social Security benefits? The SSA stops paying Social Security disability benefits when you turn 67. Once that happens, you’ll switch over to regular Social Security retirement.

Did you have any “no” answers? Don’t worry. The SSI program may still be available to you.

2. How Long Does It Take to Get Your First SSDI Payment?

There’s usually a 5-month waiting period for benefits. That means South Dakota disability recipients could receive their first payments about 6 months after approval.

You can avoid disability adjudication delays by hiring an attorney to file your claim. That’s because the forms are complicated and require a lot of documentation. Almost half of the people who apply are turned down for basic paperwork mistakes. When a South Dakota disability lawyer files your claim, your likelihood of approval is almost tripled! Disability attorneys work on contingency. That means you won’t pay any legal fees unless the SSA awards you benefits. For most people, it’s worth it to pay the one-time attorney’s fee to avoid going 2+ years without income.

Once the Social Security Administration rejects your first claim, you have 60 days to appeal in writing. Your first appeal is called a reconsideration. This process takes about 100 days, or 3.5 months, to complete. If your reconsideration is denied, you can request an appeals hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The hearing process could take up to a year, but judges approve only 11% of appealed claims. If your hearing is successful, you may still wait almost 2 years for your first payment.

3. How Much Does Social Security Disability Insurance Pay?

How much assistance South Dakota disability recipients get depends on how much they earned while working. Payment equals 40% of your average monthly paycheck over a 35-year work history. Disabled workers will get paid an average of $1,537 in monthly SSDI benefits for 2024. However, the most you can get is $3,822 per month. To get SSDI payments higher than $3,000/month, you must earn $150,000+ annually for a decade before becoming disabled. You also may receive a higher payment if Congress approves a COLA increase.

4. How Long Can I Get SSDI Payments?

The SSA requires you to pass disability updates every 3-7 years until you turn 67. After that, you begin receiving regular Social Security retirement. Your monthly amount stays the same, and you don’t have to fill out any more paperwork.

How Can I Apply for Monthly South Dakota Disability Payments?

The following are 4 ways to file your disability claim:

1. In person at your local SSA office. We recommend making an appointment if you file in person.
2. Over the phone Monday through Friday, 8am-7pm EST by calling the SSA at 1-888-772-1213.
3. Online via the SSA’s website.
4. With expert help from a local attorney who charges nothing up front to review and file your paperwork.

No matter which method you choose, you’ll also need the following documents:

• Your Social Security Number
• Employment history and contact info for past employers
• Contact info for all doctors, clinics, and therapists (i.e., you’re applying with a mental illness)
• Medical evidence
  Pro Tip: A claim that includes medical records will likely get through the review process faster.
• Military service records (note that this only applies to veterans)
• Marriage, birth, and divorce info
• Banking information

How to Get Free Expert Help Qualifying for Monthly South Dakota Disability

Working with a South Dakota disability lawyer improves your chances of getting benefits by almost 3x. A qualified Social Security attorney charges nothing for this service unless you win. If your case is successful, then you’ll only pay one small fee.

Want free expert claim help by phone? Click the button below to start your free online benefits quiz now and see if you may qualify:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation