Everyone is giving you different answers because the CalWORKs system is a MESS and totally broken. I've had workers tell me completely opposite things about the same policy. The SAR7 rules are supposed to be standardized but they're not. I've had benefits cut when my SAR7 wasn't even late yet, and other times they didn't care when I was a few days late. It all depends on who processes your case and what county you're in. The entire system is designed to make us fail so they can kick people off benefits. I'd submit that form ASAP and call to confirm they received it. Don't trust the system.

also just wondering did u check online to see if theres a electronic version of the SAR7 u can submit? I do all mine online now and its way faster

And make sure you keep COPIES of EVERYTHING you submit!!! I learned that the hard way when they claimed they "never received" my SAR7 even though I dropped it off in person. Now I take pictures of everything and get receipts. The system is designed to kick people off.

Hi! I use to work for Sacramento County human assistance. Callbacks are scheduled based on estimated wait times, but when things get really busy, those estimated times can become completely inaccurate. The workers are scheduled for so many cases per day, and if they're spending longer on each case, then the callbacks get pushed back further and further. Sometimes they end up having to reschedule callbacks for the next day. Always try to submit your SAR7 by the deadline regardless. If you miss the deadline, you'll have to reapply and potentially have a gap in benefits. Even if you submit incomplete info, you can always supplement it later.

Have you tried going to your local CalWORKs office in person? Sometimes they can help with P-EBT issues even though it's technically a different program. I always have better luck dealing with things face-to-face than over the phone.

UPDATE: I talked to a supervisor at the P-EBT hotline today about a similar issue for another family I'm helping, and they told me there's a new expedited process for these address errors. If you can provide: 1. Your child's student ID number 2. The last 4 digits of their Social Security Number 3. A copy of their school registration showing your current address They can now process an emergency address correction within 3-5 business days instead of the usual 10-15 days. The supervisor mentioned they're aware of the P.O. Box issue specifically and have created a special code for it in their system. Be sure to mention "system error code P-EBT 2206" when you call - this flags it as one of the known database errors.

For anyone still confused about this payment: 1. It's officially called the Child Poverty Reduction Supplement (CPRS) 2. One-time payment for CalWORKs households with children 3. Payment amounts: $47 (1-2 children), $52 (3-4 children), or $61 (5+ children) 4. Distribution dates vary by county and sometimes by case number 5. It will appear on your EBT card with your regular Cash Aid 6. You should receive a notification, but many aren't going out 7. You can check BenefitsCal for the payment (listed as "CPRS Payment") 8. This is separate from your regular monthly benefit Hope this helps clear things up!

i just checked my account and i got the money!!!! showed up this morning!! check ur accounts everyone

To answer your question about SSI - that's actually very important. If your child receives SSI, that child is NOT counted in the CalWORKs household. So you would apply as a family of 3 (two adults + one child), not 4. The child receiving SSI cannot receive CalWORKs simultaneously. This actually changes your income limit calculation significantly. The SSI payment itself is not counted as income for the CalWORKs calculation, but the child receiving it is excluded from the assistance unit. Child tax credits are not counted as income for CalWORKs eligibility.

It's a bit complicated, but I can explain. You don't actively choose to exclude your child - the system does it automatically if the child receives SSI. The income limit for a family of 3 is lower (around $2,900/month), but it might still be beneficial because: 1. You keep the full SSI payment for your child 2. That child gets Medi-Cal through SSI 3. The CalWORKs grant would be for 3 people instead of 4 Whether it's better financially depends on the SSI amount vs. the difference in CalWORKs benefits. Your eligibility worker can actually calculate both scenarios during your interview and advise which is more beneficial for your family. Just make sure to disclose the SSI when you apply so they can do this calculation correctly.

oh yeh an they will also give u a one time $100 immediate need payment if u tell them ur about to get evicted or have no food. u just have to check the box for immediate need on the application. they did for me anyways

Thank you all for the helpful advice! I submitted an application through BenefitsCal last night and used Claimyr this morning to actually reach a person. They scheduled my phone interview for next Thursday and told me what verification documents to upload. The worker said based on our situation we'd likely qualify for about $780 in cash aid plus CalFresh. I'm relieved we won't lose benefits right away if we get more hours since I'm hoping my work picks back up. I'll update after my interview to let you know how it goes!

Glad you got it fixed! Did they say anything about this happening again in the future or how to prevent it? I'm paranoid now and thinking I should withdraw all my cash the minute it hits my card each month...

They said this was a rare technical glitch during system maintenance that shouldn't happen again. But tbh I'm with you - I'm definitely going to withdraw my rent money as soon as it deposits from now on. Can't risk going through this stress again!

I'm in LA County too, and I'm so confused about the whole IRT thing. Does anyone know if temporary income counts? Like if my mom gives me money to help with my kids' school supplies, does that count toward the IRT? And what happens if you go over just for one month but then go back under the next month? Will they cut off your benefits completely or just reduce them for that month? The whole system is so complicated and stressful 😭

Update: I finally got through to LA DPSS this afternoon! Our actual IRT is $3,402 (slightly lower than the standard amount). The worker explained it's because we get a small amount of child support that's already calculated in. She also said as long as we stay under this amount, we don't need to report until the next SAR7, but if we go over by even $1, we need to report within 10 days. Thanks everyone for your help!

my sister in law said she went yesterday and they told her that for 2025 the income limit for a family of 3 is $2,820 now but thats before the deductions they do. she says deductions make a huge difference

One important tip: When you apply, be sure to request the childcare assistance right away. Tell them you need it to maintain employment. And don't forget to bring all your documentation to your interview: ID, children's birth certificates, proof of income (paystubs), residence verification, and childcare costs if you're already paying. Having everything ready will speed up your approval process significantly.

did u make sure ur bank even accepts govt direct deposits? my friend couldnt get hers to work cuz her bank was some online thing that didnt do govt direct deposits. just a thought.

Quick update - there's been a system-wide issue with direct deposit processing in several California counties since late 2024. The state is working on fixing it, but many requests are severely delayed. If you call, specifically mention the "direct deposit backlog issue" and ask if your county is affected. That will help them give you more accurate information about your situation.