Just wanted to check - were you able to get your forms printed and start the recertification process? Remember that for the 2025 reporting year, CalWORKs recipients need to report any income that exceeds the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) within 10 days, even between regular reporting periods. They should have included your specific IRT amount in your approval notice.

Great to hear you got the forms printed and are making progress! Just a heads up - when you submit your SAWS 2 PLUS, make sure you include verification for any bank accounts you have, even if the balance is low. They'll want to see statements for the month you're reporting. Also, if you have any changes to your household composition or living situation since your last recert, make sure to note that clearly on the forms. The county workers are really strict about cross-referencing everything between the SAR 7 and SAWS 2 PLUS, so consistency is key. You're doing great getting this done early instead of waiting until the last minute!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add my experience from when I moved last year. Like many others here, I made the mistake of ONLY updating my address online through BenefitsCal and thought I was good to go. Big mistake! Two weeks later I got a notice that my benefits were being discontinued because they had mailed my SAR 7 to my old address and I "failed to respond." Here's what I learned the hard way: even after you update online, the system doesn't always sync properly across all departments. My eligibility worker had the new address, but the mail processing center was still using my old one. It took THREE visits to the county office and a supervisor to finally get it straightened out. My advice: do the online update first, then either go in person OR use that Claimyr service people mentioned. But most importantly - ask for WRITTEN confirmation that your address change has been processed in ALL systems, not just your case file. And definitely report that rent increase too since it might bump up your housing allowance. The whole process is frustrating but don't let that discourage you from staying on top of it!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - just moved last month and have been putting off updating my address because I was dreading the phone calls. Reading everyone's experiences here, it's clear that the online-only approach is risky and you really need that human confirmation. What strikes me most is how consistent everyone's advice is: do the BenefitsCal update first, then follow up with either a phone call (maybe using that Claimyr service) or go in person. The fact that @Lauren Johnson had issues even after updating online because different departments weren't synced is exactly why this redundant approach makes sense. I'm planning to update mine this week and I'll definitely ask for written confirmation that it's been updated in ALL systems, not just my case file. That's such a crucial detail that I never would have thought to specify. Also going to make sure to report my rent change at the same time since it sounds like that could affect my benefit amount. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this kind of peer advice is so much more valuable than the vague official guidance. It's frustrating that we have to jump through so many hoops for something as basic as an address change, but at least now I know what actually works!

Did you ever get this resolved? I'm curious because when I finally got my diaper benefits added, they also reviewed my case and found I qualified for the CalWORKs Special Needs Transportation payment that I never knew about! Sometimes when you get them to fix one thing they find other benefits you should be getting. Keep us posted!

That's amazing that you got it resolved! I'm so glad the callback service worked for you. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through hoops to get benefits we're entitled to, but at least you're getting the backpay now. I'm dealing with a similar issue with my 8-month-old - I think I've been missing the diaper benefit for 4 months now. Did they ask you for any additional documentation when you called, or were they able to just add it based on what was already in your file? I'm going to try calling tomorrow but want to have everything ready if they need paperwork.

Just wanted to update on my earlier comment - most offices do take walk-ins, but go EARLY (like before they open) because there's usually a line. And bring entertainment for your 4-year-old because the wait can be 2-3 hours. Also, there's an important distinction between the regular CalWORKs recertification (annual) and the SAR7 (semi-annual report). Which one are you trying to complete? Because the process is different for each and that might affect what's happening with your case.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! Here's what finally worked for me after three missed interviews: The key was realizing they were calling from a restricted/blocked number AND my phone carrier was automatically filtering government calls as potential spam. I had to contact my phone company (Verizon) and ask them to disable all spam filtering temporarily. Also, try this number trick that saved me: Call your county's main switchboard (not the CalWORKs line) and ask to be transferred to the "CalWORKs supervisor on duty." Tell them about the missed interviews and that your benefits are at risk. Supervisors have more authority to get things moving quickly. One more thing - when you do get through, ask them to schedule your interview for the FIRST appointment slot of the day (usually 8am). Workers are less likely to be running behind schedule early in the morning, so you're more likely to actually get your call. Document everything with screenshots and notes. If they try to cut your benefits, you'll have evidence that you were available and they failed to call. Don't let them make this your fault when their system is clearly broken!

once i had my benefits cut off cuz the worker said they never got my pay stubs but i uploaded them to benefitscal!! turned out they were there but in some other part of the system the worker couldnt see. had to reupload everything and got my benefits like 3 weeks late. make sure u call if u dont see your money on the 1st!!!

I'm going through my first CalWORKs recertification right now and this thread is SO helpful! I was literally about to panic because I can't find any confirmation of my phone interview either. It's crazy that they make you answer all the same questions again during the interview when you already filled everything out online - seems like such a waste of time for everyone involved. @Zoe I think you're going to be fine based on what everyone is saying here. The system sounds like it's just poorly designed but as long as you did all three steps you should be good. I'm definitely going to take screenshots of everything I upload like Giovanni suggested - that's smart! Does anyone know roughly how long it usually takes to get the Notice of Action in the mail after the phone interview? I had mine on Monday and I'm already checking my mailbox obsessively lol