This is SO helpful! I was definitely confused about where to report everything. I'll make sure to organize all my paperwork before I submit anything. Thank you for taking the time to explain all this!

Hey Zoe! I went through something similar about 6 months ago. My advice is to definitely report it, but don't panic - you're not in major trouble since you used all the insurance money for the replacement vehicle. I'd recommend going to your local CalWORKs office in person if you can't reach your worker by phone. Bring copies of: 1) the insurance settlement letter/check, 2) the vehicle purchase agreement, and 3) your loan documents. Ask to speak with a supervisor if your regular worker isn't available. They can help you fill out the Mid-Period Report correctly. The key thing is showing that the insurance payout was immediately used to replace your transportation, not kept as extra income. Most workers understand that people need reliable cars and won't penalize you for a straightforward replacement situation, especially when you're being proactive about reporting it. Good luck!

Another possibility: did you miss any Welfare to Work (WTW) appointments or not meet your required participation hours? Sometimes they'll impose a financial sanction for WTW non-compliance, but again, they're required to send you multiple notices before doing this. Regardless of what caused the reduction, you have rights. If you request a state hearing and explain that you never received notification of the change, you have a strong case. Make sure to specifically request "aid paid pending" when you file for the hearing if it's been less than 90 days since the reduction started.

This is exactly what happened to me 6 months ago! Same situation - $280 reduction with zero notification. Turns out my caseworker had made an error in calculating my rent allowance and "corrected" it without telling me. I went straight to my county office and demanded to speak with a supervisor. Took 3 visits but they finally admitted the mistake and restored my benefits retroactively. Document EVERYTHING - take photos of your BenefitsCal account showing no notices, keep records of when you call and get disconnected. Also, you might want to contact your local legal aid society - many have CalWORKs advocates who can help you navigate the appeal process for free. Don't let them intimidate you into giving up. You and your kids deserve those benefits!

Just wanted to add that if you're concerned about the timing of the COLA increase, you can also look into emergency assistance programs while you wait. Many counties have one-time rental assistance or utility help available even if you're already on CalWORKs. Also, since you mentioned you're working 15 hours, increasing to 20+ hours not only helps with the time limit exemption but you might qualify for additional work incentive deductions that could actually increase your monthly grant amount. Worth asking your worker about the $90 work expense deduction and childcare assistance too!

Just want to echo what others have said about the work exemption - it's SO important to get those 20+ hours documented properly! I was in a similar situation last year and my worker actually helped me find a part-time position through the CalWORKs WTW program that got me to exactly 20 hours. The program also paid for my work clothes and bus pass which was a huge help. And yes, the COLA should be around 3% this year based on what I heard at my last appointment. For your family size that's probably $28-30 more per month starting in October. Not huge but combined with getting your time clock exemption sorted out, you'll have more stability to plan ahead. Definitely push for that exemption paperwork ASAP!

This same thing happened to my daughter last month! The caseworker kept insisting she needed an unemployment denial letter even though she only worked for 4 months total in the past 2 years. What ended up working was going to the office in person and refusing to leave until they let her speak to a supervisor. The supervisor immediately approved her application once she understood the situation. Sometimes you have to be really persistent to get through the bureaucracy!

I went through something similar about 6 months ago! My caseworker kept saying I needed to provide proof of unemployment application even though I clearly didn't have enough work credits. What finally worked for me was getting a printout from the EDD website showing my wage history for the last 18 months. When they could see in black and white that I only had 3 months of reported wages, they finally understood I couldn't qualify for UI benefits. You can access this through your EDD online account - look for "Wage and Potential Benefit Inquiry" or something similar. Print it out and bring it with you when you go in person or email it to your supervisor. Sometimes having the official documentation makes all the difference even when the logic should be obvious. Also, definitely push for that expedited processing since you're in emergency status with only $27 left. They're supposed to prioritize cases like yours. Don't let them brush you off - you deserve help and this denial is completely unreasonable!

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! My county (Sacramento) does allow online SAR7 submission through BenefitsCal, but here's the trick - the option only appears in your account about 45 days before your due date. If you're not seeing it yet and your report is due in 10 days, it should show up any day now. Look under "Documents" then "Submit Forms" rather than the main benefits page. Also, pro tip: if you're still having trouble finding it online, you can request an extension by calling the main county line and explaining your transportation issue. They usually grant a 10-day extension for good cause, which would give you more time to figure out the online submission or arrange alternative transport. Don't wait until the last minute though - call ASAP if you need the extension!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to share my recent experience with online SAR7 submission since there's so much conflicting info here. I'm in Orange County and successfully submitted my SAR7 through BenefitsCal last month. Here's what worked for me: 1. The online option appeared exactly 30 days before my due date (not 45 like some counties) 2. It was under "My Documents" > "Required Forms" rather than "Submit Forms" 3. The system required me to upload ALL verification docs as PDFs or clear photos - pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, etc. 4. After submitting, I got a confirmation number AND an email receipt (check your spam folder!) For those having technical issues - try using a desktop computer instead of mobile. The upload feature seems more stable on desktop browsers. Also clear your browser cache before starting - that fixed the "form incomplete" error I kept getting initially. @Zoe - definitely try the extension route that Oscar mentioned if you can't find the online option. LA County is usually pretty good about granting extensions for transportation hardships. Good luck!