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Disability services in South Dakota

138 Confirmed Profiles and 3,023 Registry Listings across 146 counties, plus organizations that serve the whole country.

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Search by area in South Dakota

Intellectual and Developmental

Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

501listings, 30 Confirmed Profiles

Mental and Behavioral Health

Mental illness, PTSD and trauma, substance use, and eating disorders.

1,285listings, 40 Confirmed Profiles

Physical and Mobility

Spinal cord injury, amputation and limb loss, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, and speech and language.

916listings, 17 Confirmed Profiles

Sensory

Blind and low vision, Deaf and hard of hearing, and DeafBlind.

499listings, 20 Confirmed Profiles

Neurological and Chronic Health

Brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, dementia, and medically complex needs.

966listings, 14 Confirmed Profiles

Veterans and Military Families

VA health, claims and benefits help, veterans service organizations, Vet Centers, housing, jobs, and military family support.

949listings, 109 Confirmed Profiles

Everything in South Dakota, on a map

Every listing in the state by county and ZIP code, plus 175 organizations that serve the whole country.

3,161listings in all

Key statewide contacts

Agencies and networks that serve people with any disability in South Dakota. Each area's Resources and data tab lists the contacts for that area.

Protection and Advocacy (1)

The legal advocacy agency for people with disabilities in your state, set up under federal law. Free help with rights, abuse and neglect, and discrimination.

Vocational Rehabilitation (2)

The state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job.

Assistive Technology Act program (1)

Try, borrow, or get help paying for assistive technology, from communication devices to mobility equipment.

Centers for Independent Living (12)

Run by and for people with disabilities: peer support, skills training, advocacy, and help moving from an institution to the community.

Show all 12

Statewide Independent Living Council (1)

Plans and monitors independent living services across the state.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers (1)

One place to start for long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities.

Parent Training and Information Centers (1)

Free help for families of children with disabilities, including special education rights and IEPs.

Services by county in South Dakota

Each county page shows what serves that county, your local intake offices, and Confirmed Profiles based there. Numbers are listings that serve the county.

Show all 66 counties

How to get services in South Dakota

Most long-term supports are paid for by Medicaid, often through a waiver program. Start with Medicaid, then get on the program that fits. Many programs have a waiting list, so apply early.

Start here South Dakota Medicaid · South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS)

Apply online (opens in a new tab) · Call 1-877-999-5612 (DSS toll-free line printed on the Medicaid application; TTY 711) or 605-773-3165 (DSS main line) · Visit your local DSS office.

People who get SSI in South Dakota get Medicaid automatically, with no separate application.

Adults 65 and older or with a disability can qualify for long-term care and waiver Medicaid with income under 300 percent of the SSI amount. People who lost SSI may keep Medicaid through the Disabled Adult Child, Pickle, or widow(er) programs.

For children: Disabled Children's Program: Medicaid for children under 19 with a disability who need a hospital or nursing level of care at home; parent income is not counted.

If you work: Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD): for people who work and have a significant disability, with income under 250 percent of the poverty level.

Steps

  1. Apply online at the DSS Medicaid portal, or get a paper application from your local DSS office.
  2. For long-term care or waiver services, use form EA-240.
  3. Send the signed application to your local DSS office.
  4. Answer any letters from DSS asking for more proof.
  5. If you need waiver services, also call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673.

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income such as pay stubs or benefit letters
  • Bank account statements
  • Proof of disability or SSI award letter
  • Health insurance cards

Find a local benefits office (opens in a new tab)

Intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism

CHOICES Waiver (Community, Hope, Opportunity, Independence, Careers, Empowerment, Success) Has a waiting list

Children and adults with an intellectual disability or a similar developmental disability (such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy) who need intensive support and meet ICF/IID level of care. Income must be under 300 percent of the SSI amount, or the person must get SSI.

Start with: Dakota at Home, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) intake · 1-833-663-9673 (press 2) · Website (opens in a new tab)

DDD starts a waiting list when funding or provider openings run short and serves people at significant risk first. South Dakota reported 372 people waiting for I/DD waiver services in KFF's 2026 state data.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

  1. Call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673 and press 2 for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, or email DDDIntakeProcess@state.sd.us.
  2. Fill out the DD application with help from a DDD Intake Specialist.
  3. Complete the ICAP assessment and send a psychological evaluation (or Birth to 3 records for young children).
  4. Meet with providers in your area and pick one.
  5. Apply for Medicaid with the Department of Social Services if you do not already have it.
  6. If CHOICES is the best fit, you will be connected with a CHOICES Case Manager.

Have these ready

  • Psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive testing (age 3 and older)
  • Birth to 3 assessment and IFSP (under age 3)
  • Medical or mental health records
  • Signed choice, rights, and fair hearing form
  • Signed release of information forms

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Family Support 360 Waiver Has a waiting list

Children and adults with an intellectual or developmental disability who live with family or on their own and want self-directed support. The same disability and income rules as CHOICES apply.

Start with: Dakota at Home, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) intake · 1-833-663-9673 (press 2) · Website (opens in a new tab)

DDD starts a waiting list when funding or provider openings run short and serves people at significant risk first. South Dakota reported 372 people waiting for I/DD waiver services in KFF's 2026 state data.

Medicaid and this program are applied for together.

Steps

  1. Call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673 and press 2 for the Division of Developmental Disabilities, or email DDDIntakeProcess@state.sd.us.
  2. Fill out the DD application with help from a DDD Intake Specialist.
  3. Complete the ICAP assessment and send a psychological evaluation (or Birth to 3 records for young children).
  4. Meet with providers in your area and pick one.
  5. Apply for Medicaid with the Department of Social Services if you do not already have it.
  6. If Family Support 360 is the best fit, choose a Family Support Coordinator from a provider in your area.

Have these ready

  • Psychological evaluation with IQ and adaptive testing (age 3 and older)
  • Birth to 3 assessment and IFSP (under age 3)
  • Medical or mental health records
  • Signed choice, rights, and fair hearing form
  • Signed release of information forms

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Other programs

Assistive Daily Living Services Waiver No waiting list

Adults 18 and older with quadriplegia who live on their own and would need nursing home care without help at home. Income can be up to $2,982 a month in 2026 and resources up to $2,000.

Start with: Dakota at Home, Division of Rehabilitation Services (ADLS waiver) · 1-833-663-9673 (press 3 for Rehabilitation Services) or 605-773-3195 (ADLS program) · Website (opens in a new tab)

South Dakota reported no one waiting for its brain or spinal cord injury waiver services in KFF's 2026 state data, and the ADLS manual does not mention a waiting list.

Medicaid eligibility is decided as part of the waiver.

Steps

  1. Call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673 and press 3 for Rehabilitation Services, or call the ADLS program at 605-773-3195.
  2. Have an assessment to see if you need nursing home level care.
  3. Apply for South Dakota Medicaid long-term care with DSS if you do not have Medicaid.
  4. Work with your ADLS service coordinator on a service plan.

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income and resources
  • Medical records showing quadriplegia
  • Medicaid card if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Home and Community-Based Options and Person-Centered Excellence (HOPE) Waiver No waiting list

People 65 and older, or adults under 65 who are blind or disabled, who need nursing home level care and want services at home, in assisted living, or in a community home.

Start with: Dakota at Home, Division of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) · 1-833-663-9673 (press 1) · Website (opens in a new tab)

South Dakota reported no one waiting for waivers for older adults and adults with physical disabilities in KFF's 2026 state data.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

  1. Call Dakota at Home at 1-833-663-9673 and press 1 for Long-Term Services and Supports, or use the online referral form.
  2. Have an assessment to see if you need nursing home level care.
  3. Apply for South Dakota Medicaid with DSS using form EA-240 if you do not have Medicaid.
  4. Work with your LTSS specialist to choose services and providers.

Have these ready

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income and resources
  • Medical records
  • Medicaid card if you have one

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Rules change. Check with the agency before you rely on this. Checked October 2026.

How South Dakota pays for services

South Dakota ranks 27 of 51 on Medicaid waiver funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See its spending, waiting list, every named program, service rates, and its vocational rehabilitation agency.

Open the Funding Atlas for South Dakota

How South Dakota is graded

C

Rank 31 of 51 on State of Support

ConnectIDD's report card for services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Access to servicesB-
  • Community livingF
  • Family supportC
  • Real workA+
  • Direct support workforceD
  • Quality of lifeC
  • State investmentD-
  • TransparencyB

Open the full report card

A smiling preschool boy plays with a toy at a classroom table.

A map for every stage of your family's journey in South Dakota

Eight stages most families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pass through, from the first diagnosis to planning for the years ahead. Each stage shows what to do now, what to start planning, and the services to look for nearby, with a free printable guide.

  1. Diagnosis
  2. Early childhood
  3. School years
  4. Transition
  5. After graduation
  6. A place to live
  7. Work
  8. The future

Open The Family Journey Download the free guide (PDF)