South Dakota Low Income Energy Assistance

Keeping your home warm during South Dakota's cold winters can be expensive. If you are having trouble paying your energy bills, South Dakota’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) may be able to help. LIEAP helps eligible households pay heating costs and make home energy more affordable.

LIEAP funding is limited, so it is a good idea to apply as early as possible. The amount of assistance you receive depends on your household’s eligibility, heating costs, and available program funding.

How does South Dakota LIEAP work?

South Dakota LIEAP is a federally funded program that helps households with low incomes pay their home heating bills. The program is managed by the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS).

If you qualify, a payment is sent directly to your energy supplier to help cover your heating costs. The type of heating you use affects how your benefit is applied:

Natural gas and electric heat: If you use natural gas or electric heat, your benefit is applied directly to your heating account with your utility provider.

Propane and fuel oil: If you use propane or fuel oil, your benefit helps pay for heating fuel deliveries.

Who can get help from South Dakota LIEAP?

You may qualify for South Dakota LIEAP if you meet the program requirements. These generally include:

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Your household’s gross income must be within the program’s income limits

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You must be responsible for paying your home heating costs

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You must live in South Dakota

Other requirements may apply. Contact your local DSS office to learn if you qualify.

How do I apply for South Dakota LIEAP?

To apply for South Dakota LIEAP, you will need to complete an application and the exact documents required may vary depending on your household’s situation.

Before you apply, gather the following:

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A copy of your current heating bill and/or electric statement

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Proof of income for the past 3 months

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A current Social Security or VA benefit award letter, if you receive these benefits

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A complete copy of your most recent tax return if you are self-employed

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Proof of child support paid during the past 3 full months, if payments are not made through the State of South Dakota

Once you have your documents ready, you can apply in one of the following ways:

Apply online

You can apply online through the mySD Portal. You will need to log in to your account or create an account if you do not have one. You can then submit your application and upload copies of your required documents through this portal.

Apply by mail

To apply by mail, download and print a paper application:

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Low-Income Energy Assistance Application

After completing the application, mail it with copies of your required documents to:

South Dakota Department of Social Services

Office of Energy Assistance

700 Governors Drive

Pierre, SD 57501

Apply by email

You can also apply by email. Complete your application, scan it, and send it with copies of your required documents to:DSSHeat@state.sd.us

How can I get help with my application?

If you have questions about South Dakota LIEAP or need help applying, support is available.

You can:

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Contact your local DSS office with questions or for help with the application process.

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Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) if there is one near you.

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Call the NCOA HelpLine at 1-800-794-6559 for free information about energy assistance programs and help getting started with your application.

What if I cannot get help from South Dakota LIEAP?

If you do not qualify for LIEAP or need additional help, other types of assistance may be available.

Talk to your utility company

Many utility companies in South Dakota offer programs that can help lower energy costs. For example, the Black Hills Cares Program helps eligible customers with their Black Hills Energy bills or emergency energy-related expenses.

Look for other assistance programs in South Dakota

You may qualify for other programs that help with heating and energy costs. South Dakota’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households lower energy costs by making homes more energy efficient. This may include home improvements that help reduce heating costs.

Contact a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC)

Benefits Enrollment Centers help older adults and people with disabilities find programs that can help pay for food, health care, housing, and energy costs. Contact a BEC in your area to learn about programs you may qualify for and get help applying.