How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level (South Dakota has 9 AAAs) / South Dakota Department of Human Services (SDDHS), Division of Long Term Services and Supports (state level)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: dhs.sd.gov/elderlyservices; dss.sd.gov; sd211.org WHERE TO GO: Your regional AAA; local senior center; 2-1-1 SD; SDDHS or DSS office

Online Option

dhs.sd.gov/elderlyservices; dss.sd.gov; sd211.org

Where to Go

Your regional AAA; local senior center; 2-1-1 SD; SDDHS or DSS office

County-specific variations apply

South Dakota is one of the most rural states nationally, with many counties having very small populations. Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls) and Pennington County (Rapid City) have the most extensive senior services. Western SD reservation counties (Oglala Lakota/Shannon, Todd, Mellette, Tripp, Lyman, Dewey, Ziebach, Corson, Sioux, Buffalo, Armstrong) face extreme challenges - poverty, geographic isolation, limited transportation. Tribal nations (Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux, Crow Creek Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux, Flandreau Santee Sioux, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Yankton Sioux) operate their own tribal elder programs independent of state AAA services.

South Dakota Notes

Important state-specific details

SD SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): SD's free Medicare counseling - contact SDDHS or your regional AAA; (605) 773-3656.
SD MEDICAID HCBS WAIVER: provides home-based alternatives to nursing homes; apply through SDDHS/DSS; (605) 773-3495.
PROPERTY TAX FREEZE (Owner-Occupied Assessment Freeze): qualifying seniors 65+ and disabled with income limits can freeze assessed value; apply January 1-April 1 with county treasurer.
PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX REFUND PROGRAM: qualifying lower-income seniors/disabled may receive refunds; apply May 1-July 1 with SD DOR at dor.sd.gov.
LIEAP: energy assistance; critical given SD's harsh winters and hot summers; apply through county DSS offices.
Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through county DSS offices or SD APS line: (605) 773-3656.
TRIBAL ELDER SERVICES: SD tribal nations' elder programs are independent; contact individual tribes for services.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

SDDHS, Elderly Services - dhs.sd.gov/elderlyservices | (605) 773-3656; SD SHIP: (605) 773-3656; SD DSS (Medicaid/benefits) - dss.sd.gov | (605) 773-3495; 211 SD: dial 211