Unemployment Resource
Phone: (800) 309-4232
Eligibility
Because there are many factors that could affect an unemployment insurance claim, claimants usually do not know until they apply whether they will be eligible for benefits. The Unemployment Insurance Division determines eligibility based on information from the claimant and the former employer(s).
Although there are general eligibility requirements, keep in mind that eligibility is determined for specific individuals and specific situations. Your situation may be quite different from that of people you worked with at the same job. For most unemployed workers to be eligible for benefits, they must be able to answer "yes" to each of the following questions:
- Did you work for an employer who paid taxes to the Department of Labor on your wages?
- Are you unemployed or under-employed through no fault of your own?
- Did you meet the earnings requirements during the base period? (See wage requirements/benefit amount).
- Are you able and available for suitable work and actively seeking work for each week you claim benefits?
Most employers and industries are subject to the unemployment insurance system. Employers who pay unemployment insurance taxes are required to post a notice in the work area, stating their employees are covered by unemployment insurance law. You could also ask the people who do the payroll where you worked if the employer is subject to UI taxes; you could stop at your One-Stop Career Center, or check directly with the Unemployment Insurance Division when you file your claim through the telephone claim line. When you file a claim you can be told immediately the amount of wages your employer(s) reported that you earned.
If you were laid off for lack of work, it is easy to determine that you are unemployed or under-employed through no fault of your own. If you left your job for some other reason, the Unemployment Insurance Division will try to get information from both you and your employer before deciding if you are eligible.
Generally, if you were fired for reasons other than misconduct connected with your work, you may be eligible. Misconduct is a fairly technical term. Usually if you quit your job for personal reasons unconnected with your work, you would not be eligible. However, there are provisions in South Dakota unemployment insurance laws which may allow payment even when you quit your job. An example is leaving on the advice of a doctor because the work is a hazard to your health.
It is best to file your claim and honestly describe why you separated from your employer. This information will be used when contacting your employer.
File a claim
Unemployment insurance provides financial assistance for persons who have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, until they find other employment. South Dakota's unemployment insurance program is financed by employers through payroll taxes, workers do not contribute to this plan.
If you become unemployed, you may file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits by calling our telephone claim line toll-free at 1-800-309-4232. The Call Center operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CST). Speech and hearing impaired applicants may call the Relay Service of South Dakota at 1-800-877-1113. The toll free number can be used to establish a new or reopen an existing intrastate or interstate claim. All other calls should be directed to your local One-Stop Career Center or the central office in Aberdeen at 1-605-626-2452.
Your claim should be filed in the first week that you become totally or partially unemployed. A delay may cost you benefits. Be advised, the Call Center experiences a high call volume on Mondays. Your wait time may be shorter by calling Tuesday through Thursday. As long as you call before the close of the business day on Friday, you'll receive credit for the week. The Call Center is closed on state holidays.
If you did not work in South Dakota, your claim can be filed by the SD UI Call Center. South Dakota will act as the agent for your interstate claim, but any decisions about your eligibility will be made by the other state.
Your call center representative will ask you for the following information:
- Social Security Number;
- Names and addresses for all your employers for the last 18 months;
- Dates of employment;
- Reasons you left each job;
- If you were employed in the military during the last 18 months, you'll be asked to mail or take a copy of your DD214 to your local One-Stop Career Center; and
- If you're not a US citizen, you'll be asked for your alien registration number.
To qualify for benefits you must have been paid wages for insured work, for civilian employment with the federal government, or for active duty in the military service in two or more quarters of your BASE PERIOD. The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the effective date of your new claim for unemployment insurance benefits. There is a special base period for persons who are not monetarily eligible because they have not worked for an extended period due to a work-related injury. This base period can only be used if a claim is filed within 24 months after the injury.
Your weekly benefit is 1/26th of the wages paid in the highest quarter of your base period, up to a maximum benefit of $241. Your wages in this high quarter must be at least $728. Also, your wages in the other three quarters of your base period must be at least 20 times your weekly benefit. The maximum amount payable in your benefit year is one-third your total base period wages, but not more than 26 times your weekly benefit.
You will receive a monetary determination indicating your weekly and maximum benefit amount. This determination is usually mailed within five days after your new claim is filed through the Telephone Claim Center. However, complications with missing wages, separation and availability issues sometimes cause delays in the mailing of a monetary determination.
Remember this is only the first step in determining your eligibility. You may be disqualified depending on the reason you became unemployed or you may be denied benefits if you do not meet other eligibility requirements.
Weekly claims will be filed by telephone using the toll-free number 1-800-463-9904 (Pierre residents call 945-5017).
Source: South Dakota Unemployment Insurance Division
