Program Description
The South Dakota Division of Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) provides in-home services for seniors and disabled adults to enable them to continue to live independently at home, rather than require nursing home care. Services include assistance with everyday activities, such as grooming, bathing, eating, and mobility, homemaker tasks, such as grocery shopping and meal preparation, and a variety of other services.
In-home services are available to individuals who are not eligible for the State Medicaid Plan or the Home and Community Based Services Waiver program. However, an exception exists if a particular service is offered under LTSS in-home services that is not offered via the State Medicaid Plan.
LTSS in-home services are state funded and are administered by the South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Long Term Services and Supports, formerly called the Division of Adult Services and Aging.
Eligibility Guidelines
There are several different eligibility criteria that must be met for program participation.
General Requirements
Age & Functional Ability
The program is open to all adults 18+ years of age. However, those persons under 60 years of age must be disabled as determined by Social Security. Persons 60 and over are assessed by LTSS to determine if there is a need for the service the applicant is requesting.
Participants cannot be eligible for other programs that offer the same services, such as the HOPE waiver.
Residency
Applicants must be legal residents of South Dakota. The program does not have an “elimination period,” meaning one does not have to be a state resident for a certain amount of time prior to receiving assistance.
Financial Requirements
Income Limits
The program does not have an income limit for eligibility purposes, but does consider income when calculating share of cost. Some medical related expenses are also considered when calculating one’s cost share. Some participants receive assistance free of charge, and others incur fees based on a sliding scale.
Asset Limits
In 2024, single applicants are allowed assets up to $40,000 in value, while married applicants are allowed up to $45,000 in assets.
Did You Know? South Dakota has another program that provides assistance to help elderly persons remain living in their homes or in assisted living residences. The HOPE Waiver is a Medicaid program with more restrictive financial eligibility criteria, but with broader services, such as assistance for home modifications, adult day care and assistive technology.
Benefits and Services
Each beneficiary is provided a care plan that may include any of the following services:
- Homemaker Services – light housecleaning, preparation of meals, laundry, shopping for groceries
- Personal Care – assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toiletry
- Nursing Services
- Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
- Meals / Nutritional Supplements
- Medical Equipment / Supplies – assistive devices, walkers, supplies related to incontinence, etc.
- Respite Care
- Telehealth – home based monitoring of vitals, such as blood pressure and heart rate
- Adult Day Services
How to Apply / Learn More
To learn more about the Division of Long Term Services & Supports’ in-home services or to apply, contact Dakota at Home, South Dakota’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, at 833-663-9673. One can also contact their local LTSS office. Click here to find the office nearest you.
More information can also be found online here and here.
