Just wanted to add one more resource that helped me a lot when I was going through the CalWORKs application process - your local Family Resource Center! Most counties have them and they offer free help with filling out applications, understanding all the requirements, and even childcare during appointments. I was a single mom working part-time at Target when I applied, and the advocate at my FRC literally sat with me while I filled out the online application and helped me gather all the documents. She also knew which eligibility workers were more patient and helpful, which made a huge difference. You can usually find your local FRC by googling "[your county] Family Resource Center" or asking your CalFresh worker for a referral. Some even have emergency food pantries and free diapers while you're waiting for your benefits to get approved. Also, since you mentioned your kids are young, don't forget to ask about the CalWORKs diaper allowance! It's not much (around $30/month I think) but every little bit helps when you're stretching every dollar. You're asking all the right questions and being such a good advocate for your family. The system is complicated but you're going to figure it out!

Aurora, you've gotten incredible advice here! As someone who's been through this whole process, I just want to emphasize that you're doing everything right by asking questions and gathering information first. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you get approved for CalWORKs, they'll issue you an EBT card that works for both your CalFresh benefits AND your cash aid. The cash portion can be withdrawn from ATMs or used like a debit card at most stores. Just be careful about ATM fees - try to use ones at banks or credit unions that don't charge fees to avoid eating into your benefits. Also, since you're working at Walmart, you might want to ask your HR department about their employee assistance programs. Some big employers have partnerships with local agencies that can help you navigate benefits applications or provide additional emergency assistance. It's worth checking! Keep all your documents organized in one folder - you'll need them for your initial application, the interview, and then ongoing reporting requirements. Having everything in one place will save you so much stress down the road. You've got this mama! Your kids are lucky to have someone who's working so hard to make sure they have what they need. The system is complicated but you're clearly smart and determined enough to figure it out.

This thread is exactly why I love this community! The fact that everyone jumped in to help troubleshoot this issue shows how much we all understand the stress of dealing with these poorly designed government systems. I've been on CalWORKs for about a year now and I swear every single interaction with BenefitsCal feels like solving a puzzle. The recertification process especially seems designed to trip people up - between the confusing navigation, inconsistent button locations, and lack of clear notifications, it's honestly a miracle anyone manages to complete it successfully. What really bothers me is that this isn't just poor web design - it's a barrier that disproportionately affects people who are already struggling. Not everyone has the time, tech skills, or internet access to spend hours hunting through random menu sections to find basic functions. Some people will lose their benefits simply because the website is too confusing to navigate. @ThunderBolt7 I'm so glad you found it under Documents > Required Renewals! That's definitely going in my mental notes for next time. And huge thanks to everyone who shared their different workarounds and solutions. This thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with CalWORKs recertification issues!

This entire thread is a perfect example of how this community fills the gaps that government systems leave behind. I've been dealing with CalWORKs for about two years now, and honestly, I learn more about navigating BenefitsCal from posts like this than from any official documentation or customer service. The fact that @ThunderBolt7 found their recertification buried under "Documents > Required Renewals" is just mind-boggling. That's not intuitive AT ALL. I would have never thought to look there - I would have assumed it belonged under something obvious like "Benefits" or "My Case" or literally anywhere else. What's really frustrating is how this creates unnecessary anxiety and stress during what's already a difficult time. When you're depending on these benefits to keep your family afloat, the last thing you need is to spend hours playing hide-and-seek with essential functions on a broken website. I'm definitely saving this thread and all the different locations people found their recert options. Between the Actions tab, Report Changes workaround, and Documents section, at least we've got multiple places to check now. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of community problem-solving is invaluable when dealing with these systems!

I'm also fairly new to this community and CalWORKs (been receiving benefits for about 5 months now), and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Dylan, I'm so relieved to hear you got it resolved - the stress of having your case show active but no money actually deposited must have been overwhelming, especially with rent coming due. What really opened my eyes is learning about the distinction between the eligibility system and payment processing system. I had no clue these were separate systems that could get disconnected! This explains so much about why sometimes when you call, the person says everything looks fine but your actual problem persists. I'm definitely saving all the specific terminology everyone shared here - "EBT issuance specialist," "payment processing supervisor," "payment issuance error" - because it's clear that using these exact phrases can make the difference between getting transferred around endlessly versus reaching someone who can actually access the right system to fix the problem. It's also really encouraging to see that the Claimyr service suggestion actually worked for you. Sometimes you see services mentioned online and wonder if they're legitimate, but hearing about real results from community members gives me confidence in the advice shared here. This is exactly why communities like this are so essential - you get practical, tested solutions from people who've actually navigated these challenges successfully. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences!

I'm also pretty new to this community and CalWORKs (just started receiving benefits about 4 months ago), and this thread has been such an incredible resource! Dylan, I'm so glad you were able to get this resolved - dealing with benefits showing as active but no actual money being deposited sounds like such a stressful nightmare, especially with rent deadlines looming. What really struck me reading through everyone's responses is how this wasn't actually an eligibility issue at all, but rather a technical disconnect between the system that shows your case status and the system that actually processes payments. I had absolutely no idea these were separate systems that could get out of sync like that! It makes so much sense now why sometimes when you call, representatives say "everything looks fine on my end" but your actual problem still isn't resolved - they're probably only looking at the eligibility side. I'm definitely taking notes on all the specific terminology everyone shared here - "EBT issuance specialist," "payment processing supervisor," "imminent risk of homelessness" - because it's clear that knowing these exact phrases can be the difference between getting bounced around for hours versus reaching someone who can actually access the right system to fix the problem. It's also really encouraging to hear that the Claimyr service actually worked for you! Sometimes you see suggestions online and wonder if they're legitimate, but seeing real results from community members gives me so much confidence in the advice shared here. This is exactly why communities like this are so valuable - instead of just commiserating about problems, people here share actual step-by-step solutions that work in real life. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to help and share their experiences!

Just want to add one more tip that helped me when I was starting out - if you're ever unsure about anything on the SAR7, write "See attached explanation" in the margin and include a separate sheet explaining your situation. I did this when I had irregular income from gig work and it really helped my worker understand what was going on. Also, if you submit online through BenefitsCal, you'll get a confirmation number - screenshot that and keep it! It's your proof that you submitted on time if there are any issues later. Good luck with your first SAR7!

As someone who's been helping people with CalWORKs paperwork for years, I just want to emphasize a few key points that might save you headaches down the road: 1. For your babysitting income - create a simple log showing dates, amounts, and who paid you. Even if it's handwritten, sign and date it. The county accepts self-declarations for cash income. 2. Since your rent increased, definitely include that receipt. Handwritten receipts from landlords are totally valid - don't worry about that. 3. Double-check that you're reporting income for the correct month (March 2025 in your case). This trips up a lot of people. 4. Before you submit, go through the form one more time and make sure every single question has an answer - even if it's just checking "no" or "none." Blank spaces are the #1 reason forms get rejected. 5. If you submit online, take that screenshot of your confirmation! If you mail it, use certified mail. The "we never got it" excuse is unfortunately common. You're being really proactive by asking these questions upfront. That puts you ahead of most people doing their first SAR7. You've got this!

UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone else with this problem - my worker said there was a system glitch during SAR7 processing that affected several diaper allowances. She fixed it and I'll get both February and March's diaper money with my April payment. She apologized for not answering my calls - apparently they're super understaffed right now.

So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always tell people to keep calling even when it seems hopeless. The SAR7 system glitches are becoming way too common - I've heard this same story from at least 5 other parents in my area. It's frustrating that we have to chase them down for benefits we're legally entitled to, but at least you're getting the back pay. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!