So glad you got confirmation that everything is on track! This is exactly why I always recommend calling when you're worried - even though the hold times are brutal, getting that peace of mind is worth it. Your experience will definitely help other people who find themselves in the same situation. The system can be really stressful when you don't know what's happening behind the scenes, but at least now you know the process is working as it should.

I'm going through the same thing right now with my first SAR7! I submitted mine about a week ago and have been checking the status obsessively. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that it's normal for processing to take 5-10 business days and that our benefits should continue as long as we submitted before the deadline. @cc288379ec13 I'm so glad you were able to get confirmation over the phone! That gives me hope that I can do the same if I need to. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating the CalWORKs system.

Just wanted to add something that helped me during my application process - if you're really stressed about making rent next month, make sure to tell them about your emergency situation during the interview! They have something called "immediate need" that can get you benefits faster than the usual 30 days. When I applied, I was about to lose my apartment and they expedited my case. I got my first payment in about 10 days instead of waiting the full month. You have to prove the emergency (like an eviction notice or shut-off notice from utilities), but it's worth asking about. Also, don't be discouraged if the first person you talk to doesn't seem helpful - sometimes you have to ask to speak to a supervisor to get someone who really knows all the programs available. Good luck with your interview, you've got this! 💪

Welcome to the community! I see you're getting lots of great advice here. As someone who went through the CalWORKs process a couple years ago, I just wanted to add that it's totally normal to feel overwhelmed at first - the system is complicated but the people here really know what they're talking about. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet is that you should ask about the Cal-Learn program during your interview if you're interested in going back to school. Since you just lost your job, this might be a good time to consider getting additional training or education. Cal-Learn provides extra financial incentives for CalWORKs recipients who are in high school or college programs. Also, keep track of all your communication with the county office - dates you called, who you spoke with, what they told you. I kept a little notebook and it saved me when there was confusion about my case later on. You're being really proactive by asking questions here, which shows you'll do fine navigating this process! The community here is super supportive so don't hesitate to come back with more questions as they come up.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got my CalWORKs interview scheduled and was freaking out about my CalFresh getting cut. Reading everyone's experiences here is SO helpful - it sounds like even though the food stamps will drop, I'll still be way better off overall with both programs. The part about having cash flexibility for rent and bills that you can't use food stamps for makes total sense. I've been stretching my grocery budget to cover things like laundry detergent and toiletries, so having actual cash for those essentials would free up more of my food stamps for actual food. Thanks to everyone who shared their real numbers and experiences - it's way more useful than trying to decode all the confusing government websites!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in the exact same boat - currently getting CalFresh and considering applying for CalWORKs but was terrified about losing my food benefits. Everyone's real experiences and actual numbers are incredibly helpful. It sounds like even though CalFresh drops, having both programs together gives you way more total support and flexibility. The tip about asking the caseworker to explain the calculation during the interview is gold - I would never have thought to do that. Also really appreciate the heads up about keeping records and taking screenshots of current benefit amounts for comparison. This community is amazing for breaking down all the confusing government stuff into real talk that actually makes sense. Thank you all for sharing your experiences!

I'm also dealing with bullying issues with my 7-year-old and have been hesitant to homeschool because of the P-EBT concern. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that charter school homeschool programs could maintain P-EBT eligibility. The detailed advice about asking specifically about NSLP participation is so valuable. I'm definitely going to start calling charter schools in my area this week using the questions Mohamed shared. It's such a relief to know there are actual solutions that let us protect our kids from bullying while keeping the food benefits. One thing I'm curious about - for those who made the switch to charter homeschool programs, how has the transition been for your kids academically and socially? My son has been so stressed from the bullying that his grades have suffered, so I'm hoping a change might help him focus better on learning. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences. This thread has given me hope that we can make this work!

I'm currently homeschooling my 10-year-old through a charter school program and wanted to share some practical tips that might help with your decision. We made the switch last year due to similar bullying issues, and I'm happy to report that we kept all our P-EBT benefits! A few things that helped us navigate this successfully: 1. I created a spreadsheet of all charter schools in our county and called each one systematically. About 1 in 4 had both homeschool programs AND participated in NSLP. 2. When I found the right program, they walked me through exactly how to withdraw from public school and enroll with them on the same day to avoid any gap in benefits. 3. The academic transition has been amazing - my daughter is learning at her own pace without the stress and distraction of bullying. Her confidence has really improved. 4. For socialization, we joined a homeschool co-op that meets twice a week, and she's also in Girl Scouts and takes art classes at the community center. The charter school we're with (Pacific Coast Academy) requires one in-person meeting per month and some online check-ins, but otherwise gives us complete flexibility. They even provide a curriculum allowance that helps with materials costs. Don't give up hope - there are definitely solutions that will let you protect your kids while keeping the food assistance your family needs. Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions about the process!

Just to follow up on this thread - address changes must be reported within 10 days, but they are not tied to your Semi-Annual Report (SAR7) timeline. The SAR7 is primarily for reporting income changes and household composition. For county transfers with CalWORKs: 1. Report your move to both counties (old and new) 2. Your case will be transferred to the new county 3. Benefits should continue uninterrupted if done correctly 4. The new county becomes responsible for your case management The BenefitsCal portal sometimes takes time to fully update after a county transfer, which is likely why you're seeing your regular benefit amount still displayed. This doesn't mean you'll receive duplicate benefits.

That's great news that you got it sorted out! County transfers can be really stressful when you're not sure what's happening with your benefits. It's always better to call and confirm rather than worry about potential overpayments. Glad Sacramento County was able to clarify everything for you and that your case transfer is going smoothly. Moving is expensive enough without having to stress about benefit issues on top of it!