Checked
South Dakota Unemployment Benefits
South Dakota paid an average of $477 a week in regular unemployment benefits in Sep 2026.
- Average weekly benefit
- $477
- Sep 2026
- A year earlier
- $461
- +3.5% change
- First payments
- 164
- People starting benefits in the month
- Paid in the last 12 months
- $36.49M
Average weekly benefit
Monthly, regular state program
Show as a table
| Period | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | $477 |
| Dec 2025 | $471 |
| Dec 2024 | $462 |
| Dec 2023 | $435 |
| Dec 2022 | $414 |
| Dec 2021 | $391 |
| Dec 2020 | $331 |
| Dec 2019 | $349 |
| Dec 2018 | $337 |
| Dec 2017 | $329 |
| Dec 2016 | $321 |
| Dec 2015 | $308 |
Monthly activity
Initial claims, first payments, weeks paid and final payments (benefits exhausted)
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Month | Initial claims | First payments | Weeks paid | Average weekly | Exhausted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 655 | 164 | 2,972 | $477 | 62 |
| Aug 2026 | 590 | 190 | 4,055 | $458 | 70 |
| Jul 2026 | 721 | 296 | 4,347 | $451 | 69 |
| Jun 2026 | 853 | 294 | 4,524 | $453 | 89 |
| May 2026 | 823 | 176 | 3,881 | $465 | 98 |
| Apr 2026 | 680 | 244 | 6,420 | $479 | 105 |
| Mar 2026 | 707 | 328 | 12,521 | $488 | 110 |
| Feb 2026 | 806 | 611 | 11,407 | $489 | 73 |
| Jan 2026 | 1,429 | 1,179 | 10,399 | $481 | 63 |
| Dec 2025 | 1,981 | 919 | 9,003 | $471 | 106 |
| Nov 2025 | 1,263 | 266 | 3,945 | $460 | 74 |
| Oct 2025 | 923 | 242 | 3,407 | $462 | 55 |
| Sep 2025 | 660 | 201 | 3,819 | $461 | 65 |
| Aug 2025 | 641 | 180 | 3,798 | $445 | 53 |
| Jul 2025 | 744 | 307 | 4,359 | $442 | 52 |
| Jun 2025 | 853 | 336 | 4,278 | $443 | 56 |
| May 2025 | 835 | 185 | 3,818 | $458 | 80 |
| Apr 2025 | 682 | 234 | 6,381 | $464 | 126 |
| Mar 2025 | 750 | 337 | 12,231 | $471 | 109 |
| Feb 2025 | 902 | 655 | 11,550 | $472 | 58 |
| Jan 2025 | 1,520 | 1,318 | 10,855 | $469 | 59 |
| Dec 2024 | 1,901 | 941 | 8,648 | $462 | 101 |
| Nov 2024 | 1,421 | 265 | 3,837 | $449 | 78 |
| Oct 2024 | 895 | 239 | 3,407 | $451 | 74 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average unemployment benefit in South Dakota?
- South Dakota paid an average of $477 per week of regular unemployment benefits in Sep 2026, according to the state's report to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- How do I apply for unemployment in South Dakota?
- Apply with the South Dakota state unemployment insurance agency. CareerOneStop, sponsored by the Department of Labor, lists each state's agency and website.