Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Sioux Falls, South Dakota — including verified statewide providers, eligibility rules, and preparation tips. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Sioux Falls, SD: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Sioux Falls and can’t afford a private attorney, several statewide and regional organizations offer free or low-cost legal help for civil matters. These programs assist with housing and eviction defense, domestic violence protective orders, family law, consumer debt, and public-benefits issues. (You can also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Sioux Falls
East River Legal Services (ERLS)
What they do: ERLS is the primary civil legal-aid provider for low-income residents in eastern South Dakota. They handle housing and eviction defense, domestic violence protective orders, custody and child support, consumer debt, public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI), and elder law. ERLS also operates a self-help legal clinic in Sioux Falls.
Who they help: Low-income residents, seniors, and victims of abuse who meet income-eligibility guidelines (usually below 125% of the federal poverty level).
Contact: 335 N. Main Avenue, Suite 300, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Phone: (605) 336-9230. Toll-free: 1-800-952-3015. Website: eastriverlegalservices.org.
South Dakota Access to Justice Commission
What they do: Operates a pro bono lawyer program that connects low-income residents with volunteer attorneys across South Dakota for free or reduced-cost legal representation. They focus on housing, consumer, and family-law cases.
Who they help: South Dakota residents who do not qualify for legal aid but cannot afford private attorneys.
Contact: Website: sdbar.org/public/probono. Phone: (605) 224-7554.
South Dakota Legal Self-Help Center
What they do: Provides free online forms, guides, and instructions for people representing themselves in court for issues such as divorce, child support, eviction, and small claims. The staff cannot provide legal advice but can help locate the correct resources.
Who they help: All South Dakota residents needing self-help resources for civil legal matters.
Website: ujslawhelp.sd.gov.
Call to Freedom — Legal Advocacy for Trafficking Survivors
What they do: Provides advocacy, legal support, and referrals for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. They coordinate with East River Legal Services and private attorneys to secure protection orders, expungements, and other relief.
Who they help: Survivors of trafficking, exploitation, or domestic violence in South Dakota.
Contact: 1915 E. 8th Street, Suite 100, Sioux Falls, SD 57103. Phone: (605) 759-3565. Website: calltofreedom.org.
Sioux Falls Veterans Community Project — Legal and Benefits Assistance
What they do: Offers legal-aid referrals and benefits advocacy for veterans and military families. Common issues include VA benefits, eviction prevention, and discharge upgrades.
Who they help: Veterans and their families residing in Minnehaha County and surrounding areas.
Contact: 3675 N. Marion Road, Sioux Falls, SD 57107. Phone: (605) 444-0489. Website: vcp.org/siouxfalls.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Sioux Falls
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing
- Domestic violence and protection orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support
- Debt collection, garnishment, and bankruptcy referrals
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, unemployment)
- Elder law and guardianship
- Veterans’ benefits and housing support
What Sioux Falls Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic offenses
- Personal-injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or corporate disputes
- High-asset divorce or complex property division
When Sioux Falls Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Contact East River Legal Services immediately — eviction cases move fast.
- You experience domestic violence: Call 911 or reach out to ERLS or Call to Freedom for protective-order assistance.
- Your benefits were denied or terminated: File an appeal quickly; deadlines are short.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment papers: Contact ERLS or the Access to Justice program for help responding.
- You are a veteran or senior facing eviction or benefits loss: Ask the Veterans Community Project for specialized support.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, eviction papers, benefit-denial letters, pay stubs, debt notices, and ID.
- Write a summary: Describe your issue in 2–3 sentences.
- List key dates: Court dates, eviction notices, or benefit deadlines.
- Provide income proof: Pay stubs, unemployment records, or benefit letters.
- Highlight urgent issues: Eviction, violence, or benefits loss.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Reduced-cost attorneys: Contact the State Bar of South Dakota’s Lawyer Referral Service for modest-fee consultations. (sdbar.org)
- Self-help tools: Use UJS Law Help for forms and instructions.
- Access to Justice Commission: Apply for the pro bono attorney program.
- LegalClarity tools: Upload your documents for plain-English explanations — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Sioux Falls Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Sioux Falls and cannot afford an attorney, start by contacting East River Legal Services at (605) 336-9230. For eviction or family-law issues, ERLS is your first stop. For survivors of violence or trafficking, reach out to Call to Freedom. Veterans can get specialized assistance through the Veterans Community Project. If you don’t qualify for free services, visit sdbar.org or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.