ALL STATE DATA UPDATED FOR 2024!

Everyone’s experience applying for Social Security Disability benefits will be unique. Part of this is because everyone’s individual medical and work history is different. But, potential applicants should also know that each state – like South Dakota – has its own story to tell in terms of social security disability benefit approval rates at each stage of the process, as well as waiting times at the hearing stage.

Why is State-by-State Information Important?

Specialized disability advocates (like us here at Citizens Disability) and South Dakota social security disability attorneys know all too well how important it is to understand that every state is different. It’s very helpful to know what the trends are, how long the wait times are from office to office, and what the different rates of approvals are.

Citizens Disability takes a data-driven approach to helping our clients. We want to make sure that we’re giving our clients the best possible advice at every step in the application process. We also work very hard to present the best possible case for each of our clients. Bringing together data from a wide variety of sources – including data like this, which comes from the Social Security Administration – allows us to make smart decisions when we present cases for our clients.

Finally, this information can be very helpful to applicants. Applying for social security benefits is likely a new experience for most applicants, and having an idea of what they can expect from the process can help them be engaged and involved participants with their advocates.

While your own journey may be different than the trends you see here, these tables and charts can help you understand what, on average, you can expect.

You will also find location and contact information for all the offices in South Dakota below.

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in South Dakota – What You Need To Know

There are generally three stages in the application process for Social Security Disability benefits: initial application, reconsideration, and the hearing. In this table, you can see how South Dakota compares to the national average (all states in America) when it comes to approval rates at each of those stages.

Initial Application (L1)Reconsideration (L2)Hearing (L3)
South Dakota38.8%10.3%0.0%
National Average39.5%15.1%57.7%
State Difference:-0.7%-4.8%-57.7%

As the table shows, in 2024, South Dakota was slightly behind of the national average for approvals at the Initial Application, Reconsideration and Hearing level. Note that the Social Security Administration does not release data about the results from Hearings for South Dakota applicants. Even though there is an SSA Office of Hearing Operations office in Sioux Falls, the hearings are handled administratively through the Billings, Montana and Fargo, North Dakota offices.

South Dakota Initial Application Approval Over Time

Initial Application Approval Rate2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
South Dakota38.8%39.3%40.6%39.8%45.4%44.1%36.8%39.2%38.9%38.0%
National Average39.5%38.9%38.8%37.7%38.3%37.6%35.3%34.4%33.5%32.8%
Swipe left & right to see the whole table

As the table and the below chart show, South Dakota has been consistently ahead of the national average for approvals at the Initial Application level going back to at least 2015. In 2024, fell below the national average making South Dakota rank 36th in the nation in terms of percentage approval of Initial Applications. That said, there’s still only about a 50-50 chance of being approved at the Initial Application level. If you are thinking of applying for SSDI, don’t worry – there are multiple stages to the application process.
This graph shows the current & historical approval rates for SSDI initial applications in South Carolina and compares them to the national averages.

South Dakota Reconsideration Approval Over Time

Reconsideration Approval Rate2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
South Dakota10.3%11.1%15.6%13.8%14.0%14.0%11.0%11.1%13.3%11.0%
National Average15.1%15.5%15.0%13.2%13.6%13.4%12.4%12.9%12.6%11.7%
Swipe left & right to see the whole table

As the table and the below chart indicate, South Dakota has criss-crossed the national average when it comes to Approvals at the Reconsideration level over the last few years, finishing up below the national average. In 2024, South Dakota ranked 49th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Reconsideration. As you can see, in general, the chances of winning approval at Reconsideration are not particularly high. That is why many applicants must continue to the next level, the Hearing.
This graph shows the current & historical approval rates for SSDI reconsideration requests in South Carolina and compares them to the national averages.


Thinking about applying for SSDI Benefits? Our quiz is easy and takes less than a minute!
See If We Can Help You!

Already receiving disability benefits? We may be able to help you optimize your benefits & save money!
Click here to see how!

South Dakota Hearings Approval Over Time

As noted above, while the Social Security Administration does have an Office of Hearing Operations locations in South Dakota, it is a satellite of the Fargo, North Dakota office – so no Hearing-level data is released for the state of South Dakota. To get an understanding of how applicants from South Dakota fare at hearings, it may be instructive to review the data for North Dakota and the Fargo offices specifically.

List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in South Dakota

Note that these are field offices, which offer a variety of services of the Social Security Administration, but do not generally conduct Hearings.

Office NameLocationAddressCityPhone Number
Aberdeen Office115 4th Ave SeAberdeen SD 57401Aberdeen1-855-278-4196
Huron Office200 4th Street SwHuron SD 57350Huron1-866-563-4604
Rapid City Office2200 N Maple AveRapid City SD 57701Rapid City1-866-964-7416
Sioux Falls Office5021 S Nevada AveSioux Falls SD 57108Sioux Falls1-877-274-5421
Watertown Office514 10th Ave SeWatertown SD 57201Watertown1-888-737-1763
Yankton Office121 W 3rd StYankton SD 57078Yankton1-877-405-3522
Swipe left & right to see the whole table

All data on this page is current as of July, 2024.

script src=”https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js”>

About Citizens Disability, LLC:

Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been America’s premier Social Security Disability institution. Our services include helping people in applying for SSDI benefits, managing the process through Reconsideration, and representing people in person at their Hearing, and if necessary, bringing their case to the Appeals Council. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled. Learn more about us and disability benefits like SSDI & SSI or give us a call (800)492-3260.


Citizens Disability is committed to helping keep people safe from fraud. We will never ask for personal details to start an SSDI application over Facebook or social media. We will only ask for certain details, in private messages, to confirm the identity of a client in a customer service situation. The only way to begin an SSDI application with us is on the phone, through a number found on our website, or one of our clearly-marked advertisements. Please keep your personal details safe, don't share them in a public forum, or with individuals who solicit your information.