Buffalo County

Local offices in Buffalo County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Human services · County office

  Buffalo County Auditor and Welfare

  112 Osman Ave., Gann Valley, SD 57341

  Help here

  • County emergency assistanceEligible residents can ask about help with medical bills, heating shutoff notices, and burial costs.
  Call 605-293-3217DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on buffalo.sdcounties.org

• State office · State office

  South Dakota WIC, Buffalo County Clinic

  Head Start Administration Building, 110 Burton Stepp Loop, Fort Thompson, SD 57339

  Help here

  • WIC nutrition supportEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children can get food and nutrition support through WIC.
  Call 605-480-9418DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on sd.gov

• Community action · Nonprofit

  Rural Office of Community Services

  107 S. Main Ave., Wagner, SD 57380

  Help here

  • Community support and housing stabilityResidents can get help finding basic needs support, housing stability services, and employment support.
  Call 605-384-3883DirectionsWebsite

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on rocsinc.org

• 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.
  Call 833-663-9673Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on dakotaathome.sd.gov

• Courts and legal help · State office

  South Dakota Unified Judicial System Self Help

  Help here

  • Court self-help informationFind court forms and plain guidance for handling a case without a lawyer.
  Call 855-784-0004Website

  Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on ujs.sd.gov

• Local office · Regional office

  South Dakota 211 Helpline

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall 211 any time to find local help with needs such as food, bills, health care, or housing.
  Call 211Website

  Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on helplinecenter.org

Buffalo County, South Dakota website

Checked on October 8, 2026

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.
• GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
• TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
• 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.
• LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.

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