Acts as an advocate and provides assistance to military veterans and their dependents in determining eligibility and applying for various federal and state benefits, such as service-connected compensation, non-service connected pension, outpatient and hospital medical treatment, guaranteed home loan certificates, education and on-the-job training benefits, burial benefits, survivor benefits, referral information, as well as many others.

Provides transportation to veterans through the local Disabled American Veterans chapter.

East River Legal Services (ERLS) Veterans Hotline assists veterans who are homeless or experiencing homelessness. The Hotline can help with legal questions that do not have to be related to housing. The Hotline can also help to complete an application for services over the phone.

The Job Service Office is ready to help job seekers identify opportunities and prepare for productive employment through the following services:

Employment Services - Staff can help identify career interests, write a resume, prepare for a job interview and access appropriate training. Job listings are posted from local employers, state-wide employers, and federal and state government agencies. Job search assistance classes are available in addition to computers to conduct a job search or apply on-line. All individuals seeking employment or information about the local labor market receive assistance at no charge.

Veterans Employment Representatives - Job search information, help with resume writing and cover letters, and preparations for interviews. Eligibility determinations for special programs and services that employ and train veterans. Information on how to apply for federal, state, county and city employment. Employment information for newly separated or transitioning service members. Assistance with cross-matching military skills to civilian employment. Direct referrals to job openings. Intensive services and employment assistance for disabled veterans;those with a military disability, may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - An employment and training program designed to provide services increasing skills for adults and youth that will result in employment and an increase in earnings. Individualized program to overcome employment barriers including: Work readiness skills;Interview tips;Resume Writing;Employment Counseling and GED or High School Diploma completion.

The Job Service Office is ready to help job seekers identify opportunities and prepare for productive employment through the following services:

Employment Services - Staff can help identify career interests, write a resume, prepare for a job interview and access appropriate training. Job listings are posted from local employers, state-wide employers, and federal and state government agencies. Job search assistance classes are available in addition to computers to conduct a job search or apply on-line. All individuals seeking employment or information about the local labor market receive assistance at no charge.

Veterans Employment Representatives - Job search information, help with resume writing and cover letters, and preparations for interviews. Eligibility determinations for special programs and services that employ and train veterans. Information on how to apply for federal, state, county and city employment. Employment information for newly separated or transitioning service members. Assistance with cross-matching military skills to civilian employment. Direct referrals to job openings. Intensive services and employment assistance for disabled veterans;those with a military disability, may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - An employment and training program designed to provide services increasing skills for adults and youth that will result in employment and an increase in earnings. Individualized program to overcome employment barriers including: Work readiness skills;Interview tips;Resume Writing;Employment Counseling and GED or High School Diploma completion.

The Job Service Office is ready to help job seekers identify opportunities and prepare for productive employment through the following services:

Employment Services - Staff can help identify career interests, write a resume, prepare for a job interview and access appropriate training. Job listings are posted from local employers, state-wide employers, and federal and state government agencies. Job search assistance classes are available in addition to computers to conduct a job search or apply on-line. All individuals seeking employment or information about the local labor market receive assistance at no charge.

Veterans Employment Representatives - Job search information, help with resume writing and cover letters, and preparations for interviews. Eligibility determinations for special programs and services that employ and train veterans. Information on how to apply for federal, state, county and city employment. Employment information for newly separated or transitioning service members. Assistance with cross-matching military skills to civilian employment. Direct referrals to job openings. Intensive services and employment assistance for disabled veterans;those with a military disability, may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - An employment and training program designed to provide services increasing skills for adults and youth that will result in employment and an increase in earnings. Individualized program to overcome employment barriers including: Work readiness skills;Interview tips;Resume Writing;Employment Counseling and GED or High School Diploma completion.

The SSVF program provides homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing services to help Veteran families keep, or rapidly transition to permanent housing.

For veterans and their families that meet all eligibility criteria and are enrolled with the program, the program can provide:

• Outreach to Veterans
• Case management
• Financial assistance (for securing/preserving housing)
  • Utility assistance for water, lights, and heating for current, past due, disconnection notices, previous address, and deposits
  • Rental assistance
  • Security deposits
• Other financial assistance
  • Child care costs
  • Moving costs
  • Transportation expense
• Help applying for Department of Veterans Affairs assistance and other benefits
• Help connecting Veterans with other community resources and services

Exempts up to $200,000 of the assessed value for a qualifying property.

Exempts property, specifically designed for wheelchair use within the structure, from all property taxes for eligible persons.

Ensures that veterans, their dependents and survivors receive the full measure of benefits and services to which they are entitled.

The Department of Veterans Affairs keeps an online list of the South Dakota Veterans Memorials.

Locate Veteran Service Officer online.

Welcome Home resource book available online.

List of transportation services available for veterans online.

The Job Service Office is ready to help job seekers identify opportunities and prepare for productive employment through the following services:

Employment Services - Staff can help identify career interests, write a resume, prepare for a job interview and access appropriate training. Job listings are posted from local employers, state-wide employers, and federal and state government agencies. Job search assistance classes are available in addition to computers to conduct a job search or apply on-line. All individuals seeking employment or information about the local labor market receive assistance at no charge.

Veterans Employment Representatives - Job search information, help with resume writing and cover letters, and preparations for interviews. Eligibility determinations for special programs and services that employ and train veterans. Information on how to apply for federal, state, county and city employment. Employment information for newly separated or transitioning service members. Assistance with cross-matching military skills to civilian employment. Direct referrals to job openings. Intensive services and employment assistance for disabled veterans;those with a military disability, may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - An employment and training program designed to provide services increasing skills for adults and youth that will result in employment and an increase in earnings. Individualized program to overcome employment barriers including: Work readiness skills;Interview tips;Resume Writing;Employment Counseling and GED or High School Diploma completion.

The Job Service Office is ready to help job seekers identify opportunities and prepare for productive employment through the following services:

Employment Services - Staff can help identify career interests, write a resume, prepare for a job interview and access appropriate training. Job listings are posted from local employers, state-wide employers, and federal and state government agencies. Job search assistance classes are available in addition to computers to conduct a job search or apply on-line. All individuals seeking employment or information about the local labor market receive assistance at no charge.

Veterans Employment Representatives - Job search information, help with resume writing and cover letters, and preparations for interviews. Eligibility determinations for special programs and services that employ and train veterans. Information on how to apply for federal, state, county and city employment. Employment information for newly separated or transitioning service members. Assistance with cross-matching military skills to civilian employment. Direct referrals to job openings. Intensive services and employment assistance for disabled veterans;those with a military disability, may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - An employment and training program designed to provide services increasing skills for adults and youth that will result in employment and an increase in earnings. Individualized program to overcome employment barriers including: Work readiness skills;Interview tips;Resume Writing;Employment Counseling and GED or High School Diploma completion.

• Service to veterans
• Veterans service officer - who is able to assist in obtaining benefits
• Advocacy programs for veterans and people with disabilities
• Legislation
• Peer counseling - for persons with physical disabilities and especially new spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.
• Sports and recreational activities - Assists veterans that have physical disabilities with getting involved in sports activities such as bowling, lacrosse, boccia ball, fishing, skiing, trap shooting, and hunting. Also open to individuals with disabilities.
• Equipment lending
• Technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Provides short-term emergency housing and supportive services to homeless Veterans in a safe, secure and respectful environment designed to enhance individual growth, employment options, finance and housing opportunities.

• Legislation affecting veterans and their dependents.
• Concern for the general programs for all veterans and their dependents and all veterans' organization, principally hospital, labor and social.
• Make public information in behalf of all veterans and their dependents and veterans organizations represented and establish a system of public relations for this purpose.

East River Legal Services (ERLS) Veterans Hotline assists veterans who are homeless or experiencing homelessness. The Hotline can help with legal questions that do not have to be related to housing. The Hotline can also help to complete an application for services over the phone.

VA is committed to ending Veteran homelessness. No one who has served our country should ever go without a safe, stable place to call home.

The HUD-VASH program exists to assist veteran's with establishing and maintaining housing. Intensive case management is provided to the veteran.

VA Health Care System also provides caregiver support resources, events, and peer support groups.

The Dakotas Regional office provides eligible Veterans with compensation, pension, job lab, and vocational rehabilitation benefits.

Veteran Readiness and Employment Field Office
910 5th Street, Suite 105
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 341-8165

Provides food, clothing, and health screenings to homeless and at-risk veterans. Also offers referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling, and other essential services.

Stand Downs are typically 1 to 3 day events.

To find information about upcoming Stand Downs, visit the website and select South Dakota in the "Select a State" field.

Provides free transportation to the men and women who answered our country's call in time of war. Volunteers drive ambulatory veterans to and from the VA Hospital and clinics and the VA Regional Office.

DAV supports ill, injured wounded veterans, surviving spouses, and their families during times of great need in the aftermath of isolated/large scale disasters.

South Dakota Teacher Career Fair

• Connects upcoming graduates and experienced teachers with employment opportunities.

South Dakota B.I.G. Career and Internship Fair

• The B.I.G. (Business, Industry, Government) Career and Internship Fair usually features over 100 employers from all around South Dakota and across the country looking to fill entry-level and advanced positions and internships for college and technical school graduates and students.

Black Hills Regional Job Fair

• A regional annual job fair to assist employers and job seekers.

Veterans benefits experts, called National Service Officers and Chapter Service Officers, work to get veterans all the benefits to which they are entitled. These Service Officers provide counseling about compensation, pension, educational and job training programs, VA health care, burial benefits, survivors benefits, and more.

South Dakota has the following chapters:

• Chapter 1 - Sioux Falls
• Chapter 3 - Rapid City
• Chapter 6 - Watertown
• Chapter 11 - Sturgis
• Chapter 13 - Aberdeen
• Chapter 18 - Pierre
• Chapter 19 - Milbank
• Chapter 22 - Brookings
• Chapter 27 - Mitchell

The Job Service Office is ready to help job seekers identify opportunities and prepare for productive employment through the following services:

Employment Services - Staff can help identify career interests, write a resume, prepare for a job interview and access appropriate training. Job listings are posted from local employers, state-wide employers, and federal and state government agencies. Job search assistance classes are available in addition to computers to conduct a job search or apply on-line. All individuals seeking employment or information about the local labor market receive assistance at no charge.

Veterans Employment Representatives - Job search information, help with resume writing and cover letters, and preparations for interviews. Eligibility determinations for special programs and services that employ and train veterans. Information on how to apply for federal, state, county and city employment. Employment information for newly separated or transitioning service members. Assistance with cross-matching military skills to civilian employment. Direct referrals to job openings. Intensive services and employment assistance for disabled veterans;those with a military disability, may also qualify for vocational rehabilitation services.

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - An employment and training program designed to provide services increasing skills for adults and youth that will result in employment and an increase in earnings. Individualized program to overcome employment barriers including: Work readiness skills;Interview tips;Resume Writing;Employment Counseling and GED or High School Diploma completion.

Assists veterans and their families in preparing, developing, and obtaining sufficient evidence to support applicants' claims for veterans' benefits. Also assist claimants seeking to appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

605-271-1871