Lake County
Ask about Lake County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Lake County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Lake County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · State office
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Madison Office
800 S Washington Ave., Suite 103, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- Food, health, cash, and child care benefitsApply for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and child care assistance at the Madison office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sd.gov
Child support · State office
South Dakota Child Support Field Office, Mitchell
116 E 11th Ave, Mitchell, SD 57301
Help here
- Child support servicesApply for help with establishing and collecting child support; this office serves Lake County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dss.sd.gov
State office
South Dakota WIC Office, Madison
200 E Center St, Lake County Courthouse, Second Floor, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- WIC nutrition and food benefitsEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five can get nutrition help and food benefits.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on sd.gov
Local office · Regional office
Helpline Center 211
Help here
- Information and referralCall 211 for help finding local health, human service, and community resources.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on helplinecenter.org
Courts and legal help · State office
Lake County Clerk of Courts
200 E Center St, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- Court forms and court informationFind court forms and information about civil, family, traffic, and criminal cases.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ujs.sd.gov
Older adults · State office
Dakota at Home
Help here
- Aging and disability resource supportGet information and referrals for services that help older adults and people with disabilities live at home.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotaathome.sd.gov
Veterans · County office
Lake County Veterans Service Office
200 E Center St, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help applying for VA benefits, education and burial benefits, and the South Dakota Veterans Bonus.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lake.sd.gov
Emergency help · County office
Lake County Emergency Management
200 E Center St, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- Disaster planning and response informationGet local information about preparing for emergencies and responding to disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lake.sd.gov
State office
Madison Driver Licensing Exam Station
1000 S Egan Ave, 4-H Building, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- Driver license servicesApply for or renew a South Dakota driver license and take required tests at the Madison exam station.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dps.sd.gov
Library · City office
Madison Public Library
209 E Center St, Madison, SD 57042
Help here
- Public library servicesVisit the public library to use its collections and library services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cityofmadisonsd.gov
Lake County, South Dakota website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Lake County
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Feeding South Dakota
4701 N Westport Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
East River Legal Services
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership
111 N. Van Eps Ave., Madison, SD 57042-0268
Listed on dss.sd.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Lake County
South Dakota programs by kind of help
These are run by South Dakota and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- Helpline Center 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988