Identification and Benefits After Prison in South Dakota

South Dakota expanded Medicaid in July 2023 following a voter ballot initiative approved in November 2022. Most low-income adults returning from incarceration are now eligible for South Dakota Medicaid upon release, though Medicaid benefits are suspended during incarceration under the standard federal inmate exclusion policy. South Dakota has no drug conviction SNAP ban.

South Dakota's voting rights restoration rule is one of the most unusual in the series because it depends entirely on your conviction date:

If you were convicted BEFORE July 1, 2012, your voting rights are restored upon release from prison -- even while on parole or probation.

If you were convicted ON OR AFTER July 1, 2012, your voting rights are not restored until you have completed your entire sentence, including parole, probation, AND payment of all court debt (fines, fees, and restitution).

This split-date rule means that two people leaving the same prison on the same day may have different voting rights based on when their conviction occurred. Know which category you fall into.

Here is how the full system works and what you need to do.

What SDDOC Provides at Release

The South Dakota Department of Corrections (SDDOC, doc.sd.gov) operates under the SAFER framework -- Supportive Approach for Fostering Education and Reentry -- as its guiding philosophy for returning individuals to their communities. SDDOC's average daily population for FY2024 was 3,816 adult incarcerated offenders and 3,109 parolees.

SDDOC reentry and programming resources include:

Pre-release planning: SDDOC transition coordinators and case managers work with individuals before release to develop transition plans covering employment, housing, benefits, and community connections.

In2Work (I2W) Program: A partnership with Aramark (food service provider) that provides ServeSafe certification -- the National Restaurant Association's food safety program required by many employers -- plus hands-on kitchen management skills. As of July 31, 2025, 72 SDDOC offenders had completed the program and 50 were currently enrolled.

Pheasantland Industries: SDDOC's prison industries operation providing work experience and vocational skill development across multiple product areas.

South Dakota Women's Prison Mother-Infant Program: For eligible non-violent offenders at the Women's Prison in Pierre who are within 30 months of their child's birth. Infants are Medicaid-eligible at birth and receive pediatric care at local clinics. Program participation typically does not exceed 30 months post-delivery.

Mental Health Peer Companions: Certified in Mental Health First Aid; provide peer support inside facilities.

Dog Programs: S.P.O.T. (State Prison Obedience Training) at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield, PAWS to Freedom at the SD Women's Prison, and Sioux Falls Minimum Center programs.

Regarding ID documents before release: Ask your SDDOC case manager or transition coordinator directly whether the facility provides assistance with state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate processing before release. Confirm the status of each document -- do not assume this has been initiated.

Getting Your South Dakota State ID or Driver's License

South Dakota state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the South Dakota Driver Licensing program (driver.sd.gov).

If your ID was not processed before release, visit any South Dakota driver's licensing station. You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and South Dakota residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of a South Dakota address. Your SDDOC release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.

Getting Your Social Security Card

If your Social Security card was not obtained before release, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.

Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.

Getting Your Birth Certificate

If you were born in South Dakota, request a certified copy from the South Dakota Department of Health Vital Records at health.sd.gov or by calling (605) 773-4961. The fee is currently $15 per copy.

If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Start this process early -- out-of-state requests can take time and delay your ID process.

South Dakota Medicaid

South Dakota voters approved Medicaid expansion through Amendment D in November 2022. Expansion took effect July 1, 2023. South Dakota's Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS, dss.sd.gov). Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible.

During incarceration: South Dakota Medicaid is suspended during incarceration under the federal inmate exclusion policy. The exception is inpatient hospitalization of 24 hours or more in a qualifying medical institution, which may be covered by Medicaid.

After release: Apply at DSS (dss.sd.gov) or call 1-800-597-1603. Medicaid claims for parole, probation, or home confinement are allowable -- you are not excluded from Medicaid because you are on supervision.

Ask your SDDOC case manager before release whether Medicaid enrollment can be initiated and what the application process looks like for someone in your situation.

SNAP: Food Assistance

South Dakota has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP in South Dakota subject to standard income and eligibility requirements.

Apply for SNAP through the South Dakota Department of Social Services at dss.sd.gov or by calling 1-800-597-1603.

Voting Rights in South Dakota

South Dakota voting rights restoration depends on your conviction date.

Convicted BEFORE July 1, 2012: Your voting rights are restored upon release from prison, even if you are still on parole or probation. This is the pre-2012 rule.

Convicted ON OR AFTER July 1, 2012: Your voting rights are not restored until you have completed your entire sentence, including all parole, all probation, AND payment of all fines, fees, and restitution ordered by the court. Under SDCL §12-4-18, you are removed from voter registration records when convicted of a felony and become eligible to re-register only upon completion of your entire sentence.

Special rule: A suspended imposition of sentence does not result in loss of the right to vote.

To determine which rule applies to you, identify the date of your conviction. Contact the South Dakota Secretary of State's office (sdsos.gov) or South Dakota Legal Services (sdlegalservices.org) if you need help determining your eligibility.

Register to vote at sdsos.gov after all conditions of your sentence including fines, fees, and restitution have been satisfied.

SDDOC and South Dakota Reentry Resources

SDDOC (doc.sd.gov): SAFER reentry framework; pre-release transition planning; In2Work/ServeSafe program; Pheasantland Industries; Women's Prison mother-infant program; Mental Health Peer Companions; dog programs; SCDOCPrograms contact through doc.sd.gov.

South Dakota DSS (dss.sd.gov; 1-800-597-1603): Medicaid and SNAP applications; county social services offices statewide.

South Dakota Driver Licensing (driver.sd.gov): State ID and driver's license.

South Dakota Department of Health Vital Records (health.sd.gov; 605-773-4961): Birth certificates; $15 per copy.

South Dakota Legal Services (sdlegalservices.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income South Dakotans, including benefit access, housing rights, voting rights, and reentry matters.

South Dakota Secretary of State (sdsos.gov): Voter registration and felony voting rights information.

District of South Dakota Reentry Program (justice.gov/usao-sd/reentry-program): Federal reentry coordination for those returning from federal incarceration in South Dakota.

211 South Dakota (sd211.org; dial 211): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, and social services by county.

Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.