Just wanted to follow up - have you heard anything back yet? If it's been more than 10 business days now, I would definitely call. Remember that even if your worker doesn't process it immediately, as long as you submitted it before the deadline, your benefits will continue. They can't discontinue benefits if you met the reporting deadline.

This thread is so incredibly helpful! I'm currently waiting on my SAR7 processing too - submitted about 8 days ago and still showing "pending review." Reading everyone's experiences has really eased my anxiety, especially knowing that 5-10 business days is completely normal. What really stands out to me is how much more useful this real community discussion is compared to the official CalWORKs website. The specific tips like taking screenshots of confirmation pages, asking if the report was "received and considered complete," and even the suggestion about Claimyr for getting through to workers faster - these are the kinds of practical insights you just can't find in official documentation. @cc288379ec13 thanks for sharing your whole journey and following up with the resolution! It's so reassuring to see that the system does work even when the waiting feels stressful. And @dac71e00e811 your expertise as an eligibility worker providing those clear timeframes was invaluable. This community really shows how much we can help each other navigate these complex systems.

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!

Maria, I'm so glad you found the legal aid resources! Having an advocate with you can really change the whole dynamic of these appointments. They know exactly what questions to ask and won't let the workers brush you off or deny services you're entitled to. One more thing I wanted to add - if the legal aid office can't send someone with you immediately, ask them for a "know your rights" sheet or checklist specific to CalWORKs homeless assistance. Sometimes just having that paperwork in your hand shows the county workers that you're informed about your rights and they tend to be more thorough in their explanations. Also, when you're at the food pantry tomorrow morning, ask if they have any social workers or case managers on site. Many food pantries now have staff who can help connect people to housing resources and benefits. They might know about local programs that the county office doesn't always mention. You're doing an amazing job advocating for your daughter under incredibly difficult circumstances. The fact that you've taken all this advice, done your research, and are going in tomorrow with a plan shows what a strong parent you are. I have a really good feeling that tomorrow is going to be different - you're prepared now and you know what to ask for. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Carmen, I've been following this entire thread and I'm so impressed by how you've taken everyone's advice and turned it into a real action plan. As someone who works with homeless families, I wanted to add one final piece of advice for tomorrow - if you end up getting approved for any benefits, ask them about the "Homeless Assistance Expedited Payment" option. This can get you funds within 24-72 hours instead of waiting weeks. Also, since you mentioned your daughter's school attendance has been irregular, make sure to connect with the school's homeless liaison (every school district is required to have one under federal law). They can provide transportation assistance, free meals, and help with school supplies, plus they can write a letter confirming your homeless status that strengthens your CalWORKs application. You've gotten so much great advice here - from Wesley's suggestion about Claimyr for getting through the phone lines, to Lily's detailed breakdown of what documents you need, to Paolo's idea about legal aid advocacy. The fact that you've listened, researched, and made concrete plans shows you're going to succeed tomorrow. Your daughter is lucky to have such a determined advocate for a parent. Please do update us - this community is rooting for you both!

I just wanted to add something that might help - if you're worried about the father being unpredictable or causing problems, you can also request that all communication from the child support office goes through your caseworker instead of directly to you. This gives you an extra layer of protection and helps keep things organized. Also, when you do your CalWORKs interview, be completely honest about your concerns with your eligibility worker. They've seen it all and can guide you on whether your situation might qualify for good cause. Even if it doesn't initially seem like it would qualify, sometimes there are details that make a difference. One more thing - if you end up having to go through with child support and the father does start paying, that money belongs to your child regardless of your relationship with him. Try to think of it that way if it helps. You're advocating for your baby's financial security, not necessarily opening the door to a relationship you don't want.

Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact situation last year. I was terrified about listing my son's father because he had addiction issues and I was worried about what would happen if they contacted him. I ended up providing his information but immediately requested a good cause exemption. My eligibility worker was really understanding and gave me the CW 51 form to fill out. I documented his substance abuse history, erratic behavior, and concerns about him being around our child. The exemption was approved within a few weeks. The best part is that I still get my full CalWORKs benefits without having to deal with child support enforcement. My case has been much smoother since then. Don't let fear stop you from applying - there really are protections in place for situations like yours. Be honest about your concerns and advocate for yourself and your baby. Also, definitely use that Claimyr service someone mentioned if you need to call with questions. I wish I had known about it when I was going through this process!

This entire thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm also in LA County with a family of 4 and had been stressing about this exact same issue. My husband just got approved for overtime at his job and I've been losing sleep wondering if I need to report it immediately or wait for the next SAR7. Like so many others here, I was just using the general $3,469 amount I found online, but after reading about @Isabella Santos discovering her actual IRT was different due to child support, I realize I need to get my specific number confirmed. We don't have child support, but we do have a small amount of SSI for one of our kids that comes in monthly. The Claimyr tip from @Diego Ramirez sounds amazing - I'm definitely going to try that instead of spending hours on hold. And @Saleem Vaziri, your spreadsheet idea is brilliant! I've been trying to do the math in my head every time income changes and it's so stressful. It's honestly frustrating how much we have to figure out on our own just to avoid accidentally messing up our benefits, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real experiences. You've all probably saved me from making a costly mistake by assuming I knew my correct IRT. Thank you!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm also in LA County with a family of 4 and I've been making the same mistake as everyone else - assuming my IRT was exactly $3,469. Reading about how @Isabella Santos discovered her actual threshold was $3,402 due to child support really opened my eyes. We receive some irregular unemployment benefits that I never thought would affect our IRT calculation. The practical tips shared here are gold! @Saleem Vaziri's spreadsheet idea for tracking variable income is something I'm implementing immediately - I've been scrambling to calculate our monthly totals every time something changes. And @Diego Ramirez, thank you for the Claimyr recommendation! I've literally given up calling DPSS multiple times because of the endless hold times. What strikes me most is how many families are navigating this system without knowing their exact IRTs. It's concerning that such crucial information isn't more clearly communicated upfront. The difference between the standard amount and individual calculations can be significant enough to affect whether you need to report mid-period or not. This community support is invaluable - you've all probably saved multiple families from making costly reporting mistakes. I'm definitely calling to verify our specific IRT before my partner takes on any additional work. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences and creating such a helpful resource!