South Dakota TANF (Cash Assistance)
Last updated August 2026
South Dakota TANF gives monthly cash help to low-income families with children. TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It is meant to help while you work toward steady income. Apply online at the DSS Benefits Portal, eaportal.sd.gov, or at a local Department of Social Services office. Call 605-773-3165 with questions.
The cash amount depends on your family size and your living setup. A one-person case gets $461 a month in independent living. The payment standard goes up by $53 for each added household member. So a bigger family gets a larger check.
Watch the clock, because it matters. An adult cannot get TANF for more than 60 months in a lifetime. That is five years total. The good news is that the 60 months do not have to be in a row. You can use months across separate times of need, so hitting the limit once does not mean you can never get help again.
TANF is built around work. Most adults must take part in allowed work activities for at least 30 hours a week. If you care for a child under age 6, your weekly minimum drops to 20 hours. You also follow a Personal Responsibility Plan with your case worker.
To qualify, you must have a child under 18, or under 19 and still in high school, who lost support because a parent died, is away, cannot work, or is unemployed. You send in your proof, and the program decides if you qualify. Meeting the basics does not promise approval.
Because the cash is modest, stack other help. When you apply for TANF, ask about SNAP for food and South Dakota Medicaid for health coverage in the same visit. Dial 2-1-1 to reach the Helpline Center for local funds that can bridge a rough month.
Phone 605-773-3165
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Families with a child under 18, or under 19 and still in high school, who lost support because a parent died, is absent, is incapacitated, or is unemployed
- Most adults must meet the work requirement and follow a Personal Responsibility Plan; a 60-month lifetime limit applies to adults and counts months received in any state
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at eaportal.sd.gov or at a local Department of Social Services office.
- 2
Meet with a case worker to build your Personal Responsibility Plan.
- 3
Plan to meet the work rule: 30 hours a week, or 20 hours if you care for a child under 6.
- 4
Track your months, since the lifetime limit is 60 months and the months need not be in a row.
- 5
Apply for SNAP and Medicaid at the same time to add food and health help.
What to have ready
- ID and Social Security numbers for the family
- Proof of your income and where you live
- Proof of the child in your care and why support was lost. The office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much does South Dakota TANF pay?
A one-person case gets $461 a month in independent living. The amount rises by $53 for each added household member.
How long can I get TANF?
An adult can get TANF for up to 60 months, or five years, in a lifetime. The 60 months do not have to be used in a row.
Do I have to work?
Most adults must take part in allowed work activities for at least 30 hours a week. That drops to 20 hours if you care for a child under 6.
Who can get TANF?
Low-income families with a child under 18, or under 19 and still in high school, who lost support because a parent died, is away, cannot work, or is unemployed.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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