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Reemployment Assistance Benefits
Reemployment assistance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to eligible unemployed workers who lost their job through no fault of their own and are not based on financial need. Reemployment assistance benefits are funded through a dedicated tax paid by your former employer(s). As an employee, you do not pay any portion of the benefit costs or taxes. Your eligibility for benefits is based on the wages you have earned. In order to qualify for benefits, you must be able and available to accept full-time work. While you are receiving reemployment assistance benefits, it is your responsibility to return to the workforce as quickly as you can.
Filing a Claim
File as soon as you become unemployed or if your work hours have been reduced. Waiting to file may cause you to lose some benefits.
You can file a claim online or by telephone. Filing online is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the RA Benefits Portal.
To file by telephone, contact the Claims Call Center at 605.626.3179, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. (Central Time). For TTY service, dial 711 or 800.877.1113. Translator services available on request.
Please direct any questions to our Customer Service Center at 605.626.2452, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time).
First-time claimants, STOP! Before filing your first claim, read important tips to prevent the delay of your benefits.
Those filing a weekly request for payment for the first time, STOP! Read important information to help ensure the continuation of your benefit payments.
RA Benefits Portal
Click the RA Benefits Portal icon below to file online.
View the RA Benefits Portal Profile Guide, a quick start guide for logging in and setting up a profile in the RA Benefits Portal (Spanish and Somali translations coming soon).
Read the RA Claimant Handbook
Our RA Claimant Handbook English | Spanish | Somali) contains instructions and answers to many of your questions. You are responsible for reading and knowing the requirements and following the rules.
1099-G Tax Forms
1099-G tax forms have been mailed. Benefits must be claimed on your federal income taxes. If you do not receive it by the second week in February or have questions, please call us at 605.626.2452. Thank you.
Questions?
View our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the RA Customer Service Center at 605.626.2452 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time) with questions.
The Claims Call Center and our Customer Service are closed on all state holidays.
Sign Up for Electronic Correspondence
Signing up for electronic correspondence allows you to receive most, but not all of your RA correspondence electronically. When you opt-in to receive electronic correspondence RA mail will be sent to a secure electronic “mailbox” set up for you on our website.
You must be logged in to the RA Benefits Portal to sign up or view your correspondence. Once signed in, Click on View Correspondence under the My Claim Status section and then Electronic Correspondence.
Any correspondence received in the mail prior to signing up will not be available through electronic correspondence.
Reemployment Assistance Quick Links
Eligibility
Your Responsibilities as the Claimant
File a Weekly Request for Payment
Help Prevent Overpayments and Fraud
Receiving Benefits
Payment Methods - Debit Card or Direct Deposit
Wage Requirements - Benefit Amount
Other Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about RA Benefits
Resources
The resources available below are in Adobe PDF format unless otherwise noted.
Publications
Benefits Eligibility Fact Sheet English |Spanish | Somali
Common Mistakes Made by Reemployment Assistance Claimants (webpage)
RA Claimant Handbook English | Spanish | Somali
Reemployment Assistance at a Glance brochure English | Spanish | Somali
How to File an Reemployment Assistance Claim brochure English | Spanish | Somali
Administrative Rules and Laws
Administrative Rules of South Dakota on Reemployment Assistance
South Dakota Codified Laws on Reemployment Assistance
Employment Services
View job listings with the State of South Dakota
Contact your Job Service office for help with your employment search and training needs.
Refusal to Return to Work
Workers who have been placed on a temporary layoff but have refused to return to work when recalled by their employer will lose reemployment assistance benefits, except for certain circumstances. See guidance.
Contact Us
Reemployment Assistance Division — Benefits
South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation
P.O. Box 4730
Aberdeen, SD 57402-4730
Phone: 605.626.2452
Fax: 605.626.3172
email