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Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Filing a Claim

If you become unemployed, you may file a claim for unemployment insurance benefits online at www.sd.uiclaims.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week or by calling the Call Center at 605.626.3179. The Call Center operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (CST).

File a claim online

We encourage you to view the video “How to properly file a claim for unemployment benefits” before starting your claim.

Speech and hearing impaired applicants may call the Relay Service of South Dakota at 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 the Benefit section at 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 volume of calls 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 will receive credit for the week. The Call Center is closed on state holidays.

If you worked in a state other than South Dakota and now live in South Dakota, an interstate claim can be filed against the state where you worked. In most states, you can file your claim by calling the state directly. Filing information, including telephone numbers to call, can be obtained by contacting the Call Center at 605.626.3179. The state where you worked will make all determinations on your eligibility according to its laws and regulations.

What information should I have ready when I call?

The 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 will be asked to mail or take a copy of your DD214.
• If you are not a US citizen, you will be asked for your alien registration number.

Download the Call or Click to File brochure (Adobe .pdf format*) containing instructions on options for filing a claim for unemployment insurance benefits. [English] [Spanish]

*Opening and printing Adobe .pdf files requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here as needed to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.