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Medicare and health costs
South Dakota Medicaid in South Dakota
South Dakota Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older with low income and savings, and it helps cover long-term care at home, in assisted living or in a nursing home.
For nursing-home care or the HOPE Waiver, you may qualify with income up to $2,982 a month and savings up to $2,000. You can apply online, on paper or at a local Department of Social Services office.
How to apply in South Dakota
- In person
- At your local Department of Social Services office.
- By mail
- Print the paper application from the DSS website and return it to your local office.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in South Dakota
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $994 a month (the SSI level) | $1,491 a month (the SSI level) Source: KFF (source 3) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $2,000 | $3,000 Source: KFF (source 3) |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | No Source: KFF (source 3) |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI standard benefit), for nursing facilities, assisted living and the HOPE Waiver; savings limit $2,000 Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 1) |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: adults 19 to 64 may qualify with income up to $1,835 a month for one person Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 1) |
How South Dakota is different
Where South Dakota's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Help at home or in assisted living through the HOPE Waiver, with the same income limit as nursing-home care
Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in South Dakota
Division of Long Term Services and Supports
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in South Dakota
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
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- Kentucky
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- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- South Dakota Department of Social Services, South Dakota Medicaid Coverage Groups (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- South Dakota Department of Social Services, 3 Ways to Apply for Medical Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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