South Dakota Medicaid & CHIP
Last updated August 2026
South Dakota Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage. It covers children, pregnant people, parents, seniors, people with disabilities, and now low-income adults too. CHIP covers children in families that earn a little more. Apply online at the DSS Benefits Portal, eaportal.sd.gov, by paper form, or at a local Department of Social Services office. Call 605-773-3165 with questions.
The biggest recent change is Medicaid expansion. South Dakota voters approved expansion in 2022. Now adults ages 19 to 64 who meet the income limits can get coverage, with or without private health insurance. If you were told no in the past, it is worth applying again.
For the expansion adult group, the monthly income limit is about $1,835 for one person, $2,488 for two, and $3,795 for a family of four. If your income is near these numbers, apply and let the program check your case. You send in your proof, and the program decides if you qualify.
The coverage is real. Expansion adults get regular checkups, dental care, and vision care. Medicaid and CHIP also help pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions for the whole family.
Medicaid still covers the groups it always did. Children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities each have their own path to coverage, including long-term care. So even if the adult group does not fit you, another path might.
Apply through eaportal.sd.gov, the same portal used for SNAP and TANF. That means a parent can add coverage for the whole family in one place. While your application is reviewed, dial 2-1-1 to find a community health center near you.
Phone 605-773-3165
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- South Dakota residents who meet the income rules for their group; children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities each have their own pathway
- Medicaid expansion, which voters approved in 2022 and took effect July 2023, now covers low-income adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, so apply even if you were denied before
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at eaportal.sd.gov, by paper form, or at a local Department of Social Services office.
- 2
If you are an adult 19 to 64, check the expansion income limit, about $1,835 a month for one and $3,795 for four.
- 3
Gather proof of identity, income, and South Dakota residency.
- 4
Add your children and other family members to the same application.
- 5
Call 605-773-3165 if you need help or have questions.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers for those applying
- Proof of income and South Dakota residency
- Immigration or citizenship papers where they apply. The office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Does South Dakota cover low-income adults now?
Yes. Voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022. Adults ages 19 to 64 who meet the income limits can get free or low-cost coverage, with or without private insurance.
What is the income limit for the adult group?
About $1,835 a month for one person, $2,488 for two, and $3,795 for a family of four.
What does the coverage include?
Expansion adults get regular checkups, dental care, and vision care. Medicaid and CHIP also help pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescriptions.
How do I apply?
Online at eaportal.sd.gov, by paper form, or at a local Department of Social Services office. Call 605-773-3165 for help.
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