

Ask the community...
Quick tip: make sure you sign up for text or email reminders about your SAR 7 due dates! I almost missed mine too, but got a text reminder 10 days before it was due. You can set this up on BenefitsCal.com or ask your worker to add those alerts to your account. Has saved me from this exact situation multiple times.
UPDATE: I used that Claimyr service and got through to my worker! She said they'll process my SAR 7 by the end of the week and my Cash Aid should be restored within 3-5 business days after that. She also submitted an emergency request so I might get it faster. CalFresh won't be retroactive but will start again once the SAR 7 is processed. And I asked about the diaper supplement - apparently I was already getting it but didn't realize it was included in my regular payment. Everyone who commented - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help during this stressful time!!! Lesson learned about turning in forms on time.
Just wanted to say congrats on the new job though! I went through something similar last year and it was rough at first but after a few months I was actually doing better overall than when I was just on aid. Hang in there while you get this sorted out.
Does the child support situation matter? My friend got denied because she refused to name the father of her kid (bad domestic violence situation). Will your daughter have to deal with child support enforcement?
Yes, CalWORKs typically requires cooperation with the Local Child Support Agency (LCSA) to establish paternity and pursue child support from the absent parent. HOWEVER - there are important exceptions for domestic violence situations! Your daughter can request a "good cause" exemption from the child support cooperation requirement if: - Cooperation would risk harm to her or the children - The children were conceived through rape or incest - She's in the process of adopting the children - Other compelling safety reasons If your friend was denied, she should have been offered the opportunity to claim good cause. She may want to reapply and specifically request the good cause exemption form. The county must evaluate these claims and shouldn't just deny benefits outright.
I forgot to mention another IMPORTANT thing! If your daughter gets approved for CalWORKs, make sure she asks about the HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM (HSP) if she's having trouble with rent. San Bernardino County has this program for CalWORKs families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They can help with security deposits, rental assistance, and even help finding affordable housing!
That would be so helpful! She's currently behind on rent and worried about eviction. I'll definitely have her ask about this program. Does she need to be approved for CalWORKs first before asking about housing support?
Yes, she needs to be a CalWORKs recipient first to qualify for the Housing Support Program. But once approved for CalWORKs, she should immediately tell her worker about her housing situation. If she's facing imminent eviction, she might also qualify for Homeless Assistance, which is emergency aid that can provide temporary shelter or help prevent eviction. If she's already received an eviction notice, bring that to the interview as it can help qualify for expedited processing of her application under hardship rules. The county can sometimes issue emergency payments to prevent homelessness while the regular application is being processed.
I got that middle class refund and didnt report it on my SAR7 last jan. no one said anything and my caseworker renewed my benefits like normal. i think they dont even look at that tbh
this reminds me i still need to submit my SAR7 this month!!! when is the deadline again??? i always forget and then they threaten to cut me off lol
Gabriel Ruiz
This happened to my cousin and they made her reapply for the whole program from scratch! She lost like 6 weeks of benefits even though she was in the hospital for legitimate reasons. The CalWORKs system is totally broken. They expect people who are literally in medical crisis to somehow still meet all these ridiculous paperwork deadlines. It's inhumane!
0 coins
Tate Jensen
•That shouldn't have happened. Your cousin should have requested a state hearing - they can't make you reapply if you had good cause for missing requirements and submit documentation within a reasonable timeframe. There's a 90-day window to appeal these decisions.
0 coins
Nadia Zaldivar
Final update: Just wanted to let everyone know that my benefits were reinstated today! My doctor filled out the CW 61 form verifying my 3-week hospitalization, and the county accepted it as good cause for missing the WTW orientation. They're depositing this month's payment tomorrow, and I didn't have to reapply. Thank you all again for your advice - it really helped me navigate this scary situation.
0 coins
Lukas Fitzgerald
•awesome! so glad it worked out for u!
0 coins