Free help lines in South Dakota

State and local agencies that help older adults and their families in South Dakota. Calling them is free.

ESB (EverySeniorBenefits.com) is not a government agency. These numbers reach the agencies directly. We have no phone line of our own and never charge for help.

In an emergency, call 911.

Read the South Dakota benefits guide

South Dakota agencies

Medicaid and help paying Medicare costs

Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program

South Dakota Department of Social Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on dss.sd.gov

Food help (SNAP)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

South Dakota Department of Social Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on dss.sd.gov

Free Medicare counseling

Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE)

South Dakota Department of Human Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on www.shiphelp.org

Aging services and local help

Dakota at Home

South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Long Term Services and Supports

Checked 2026-10-18 on dakotaathome.sd.gov

Help with energy bills

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Energy Assistance

Checked 2026-10-18 on dss.sd.gov

Report abuse, neglect or exploitation

Adult Protective Services

South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Long Term Services and Supports

  • Phone 1-833-663-9673 Through Dakota at Home; after business hours contact local law enforcement
  • Hours 8:00am - 5:00pm (CT), Monday - Friday
  • Website dhs.sd.gov/en/ltss

Checked 2026-10-18 on dakotaathome.sd.gov

Nursing home and assisted living complaints

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

South Dakota Department of Human Services

Checked 2026-10-18 on dakotaathome.sd.gov

Report Medicare fraud and billing errors

South Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

SHIINE (South Dakota Department of Human Services)

Checked 2026-10-18 on smpresource.org

Insurance questions and complaints

Consumer assistance

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Division of Insurance

Checked 2026-10-18 on dlr.sd.gov

Scams and consumer complaints

Consumer Protection Division

South Dakota Office of Attorney General

Checked 2026-10-18 on consumer.sd.gov

National help lines

Social Security national line

Social Security Administration

Call about retirement, disability, survivor or SSI benefits, Social Security cards, Medicare enrollment and replacement Medicare cards.

Waits are usually shorter in the morning and later in the week and month. The automated line, open 24 hours, can send a benefit letter, a replacement SSA-1099 or Medicare card, and change your address or phone. Find a local office at ssa.gov/locator.

Checked on www.ssa.gov

1-800-MEDICARE

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Call about Medicare coverage, claims, bills, plan choices and enrollment, drug plans, and to report suspected Medicare fraud or file complaints.

This is also how to reach the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman: if your plan or 1-800-MEDICARE has not solved a problem, ask the representative to send your complaint to the Ombudsman. Drug and Medicare Advantage plan complaints can also be filed online at medicare.gov/my/medicare-complaint.

Checked on www.medicare.gov

Medicare quality help line (QIO)

Acentra Health

Appeal if you think a hospital, nursing home or other Medicare provider is ending your care too soon, or complain about the quality of care.

Checked on acentraqio.com

Eldercare Locator

U.S. Administration for Community Living (run by USAging)

Find local help for older adults and caregivers: Area Agency on Aging, meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, legal help and more.

TTY users: call 711 and ask the relay operator to connect you to 1-800-677-1116.

Checked on eldercare.acl.gov

National Elder Fraud Hotline

U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime

For people 60+ (or family) who lost money or were targeted by fraud; case managers help you report it and connect to resources.

Checked on www.justice.gov

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (funded by SAMHSA)

Call, text or chat any time if you or someone you care about is in emotional distress, a mental health or substance use crisis, or thinking about suicide.

Phone menu: press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, press 2 for Spanish. Free and confidential. In immediate danger, call 911.

Checked on 988lifeline.org

See all national help lines

Page last reviewed: 2026-10-18