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Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - DO NOT mess around with the SAR7 deadline! I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and I've seen so many people get their benefits cut because they thought they had more time or didn't take it seriously. One thing I didn't see mentioned - if you're struggling to get all your paperwork together by March 1st, you can submit the SAR7 form itself by the deadline and then you usually have 10 days to provide any missing verification documents. But don't rely on this - it's better to get everything in at once. Also, since you mentioned your caseworker didn't explain much when you got approved, I'd suggest asking them (or the eligibility worker) to walk you through the SAR7 process step by step. They're supposed to help you understand what's required. If they won't help, ask to speak to a supervisor. You have the right to get clear information about your case! The BenefitsCal website is definitely your best bet for submitting. I always submit mine there and get the confirmation right away. Just make sure all your documents are clear scans or photos - blurry documents get rejected.
This is all really great advice! I'm definitely not going to mess around with this deadline after hearing everyone's experiences. I had no idea about the 10-day rule for missing verification documents - that's good to know as a backup but you're right that it's better to get everything in at once. I'm definitely going to ask my caseworker to walk me through this process better too. It's frustrating that they don't explain these important things when you first get approved. Thanks for mentioning the document quality issue - I'll make sure my scans are really clear when I submit through BenefitsCal!
Hey Jamal! I just wanted to add something that might help with your Walmart income reporting. Since you mentioned getting extra hours around Valentine's Day, make sure you're looking at your actual February paystub dates, not just when you worked the hours. Sometimes if you work extra hours at the end of January, that income might show up on a February paystub and needs to be reported on your SAR7. Also, if Walmart gave you any holiday pay or bonuses in February, that all counts as income too. I work retail and learned this the hard way when I forgot to report a small bonus and got questioned about it later. One more thing - if you're having trouble accessing your paystubs, most big employers like Walmart have online portals where you can download them. That might be easier than waiting for paper copies. You've got great advice from everyone here, so you should be all set! Just don't stress too much - as long as you report everything honestly and get it in by March 1st, you'll be fine.
That's a really good point about the paystub dates vs when I actually worked! I didn't think about that. I do have access to the Walmart employee portal so I can download my February paystub to make sure I'm reporting the right amount. I don't think I got any bonuses but I'll double check. Thanks for the heads up about reporting everything honestly - with all the advice everyone's given me, I feel much more confident about filling this out correctly now. It's so helpful having people who've been through this before share their experiences!
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Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same worry! I was terrified to apply for any benefits because I thought it would automatically trigger child support stuff with my ex. But I can confirm what everyone else is saying - CalFresh truly does NOT require child support cooperation. I've been receiving CalFresh for my 4-year-old for about 8 months now and there has been zero contact with child support services. My ex and I have our own arrangement that works for us, and the county has never interfered with that. The key is being very clear during your application and interview that you ONLY want CalFresh. Don't let anyone talk you into CalWORKs if you don't want the child support involvement. Your kids need food, and you deserve that help without drama!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who's actually been through this for 8 months with no issues. I was getting so stressed reading some of the conflicting info online, but hearing from real people who've done exactly what I'm trying to do makes me feel so much better. Your situation sounds just like mine - we have our own thing that works and I don't want the government messing it up. I'm definitely going to stick to my plan of ONLY applying for CalFresh. Thanks for the encouragement!
I went through this same situation about a year ago and I'm happy to share my experience! I was a single mom with a 2-year-old and desperately needed food assistance, but I was terrified about the child support thing because my daughter's dad and I had worked out our own informal arrangement that was actually working pretty well for both of us. I ended up applying for ONLY CalFresh through the BenefitsCal website, and I can confirm that there was absolutely no involvement from child support services. During my phone interview, the worker did mention that I might qualify for CalWORKs cash assistance too, but when I politely declined and said I only wanted food benefits, they respected that completely. The key things that helped me: 1. Only checked the CalFresh box on the application 2. Was very clear during the interview that I only wanted food assistance 3. Kept all my paperwork focused on CalFresh eligibility It's been over a year now and I've never had any contact from child support enforcement. My ex and I still have our arrangement, and getting CalFresh has been a huge help for groceries without any of the drama I was worried about. You've got this! Your kids deserve to eat well and you shouldn't have to choose between that and keeping peace with your co-parent.
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sooo did u end up reporting ur job?? what happened with ur benefits??
Yes! I reported it yesterday after reading everyone's advice. My worker actually seemed happy I was working and explained about the transitional Medi-Cal program. She said my cash aid will go down but not disappear completely because of the income disregards someone mentioned. And I'll keep my Medi-Cal for at least a year even if I find a better job! Such a relief!
That's awesome that you reported it and everything worked out! It's such a relief when you actually get a helpful worker who explains things properly. Your experience is a perfect example for anyone else worried about the same thing - the system really is set up to help people transition to work, not punish them for it. Congrats on the new job and for doing the right thing even when it felt scary!
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I went through this exact situation last summer and I know how terrifying it is when your rent money disappears overnight! The good news is that California has really strengthened their benefit theft protections, so you absolutely CAN get your money back. A few things that helped speed up my case: - I called the EBT fraud hotline (1-877-328-9677) immediately after filing the police report to create an additional paper trail - When I submitted my EBT 2259 form, I also included a signed affidavit stating I never shared my PIN with anyone - I took photos of the specific ATM where my card was skimmed and included those with my paperwork The most important thing is to emphasize the EMERGENCY nature of your situation when you submit tomorrow. Tell them your exact eviction date and ask if they can flag your case as "expedited due to imminent homelessness." Some counties can process these in as little as 3-5 business days when housing is at immediate risk. Also, while you're there, definitely ask about CalWORKs Homeless Assistance Program (HAP) as backup - it can provide emergency rent assistance even while your theft claim is being processed. Don't let them tell you that you have to wait for one program before applying for another. You've got this! The system isn't perfect but it DOES work when you know the right steps to take. Keep us updated! 💪
Logan, this is incredibly thorough advice - thank you! I had no idea about calling the EBT fraud hotline to create an additional paper trail. I'm going to call them first thing in the morning before heading to the county office. The signed affidavit about never sharing my PIN is a great idea too - I'll write that up tonight. I'm definitely going to emphasize the "expedited due to imminent homelessness" language you suggested when I submit everything. 3-5 business days would be a lifesaver compared to some of the longer timelines others experienced. Also going to ask about the HAP program as backup - you're absolutely right that I shouldn't have to choose between programs when my kids' housing is at risk. This whole thread has been like a masterclass in navigating benefit theft - I feel so much more prepared now than I did this morning when I was just panicking. Will definitely update everyone tomorrow after I submit everything! 💪
I'm so sorry you're going through this - benefit theft is becoming way too common and it's absolutely terrifying when it's money you depend on for basic needs like housing. Reading through all the advice here, it sounds like you have a really solid plan for tomorrow. Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you go to submit your paperwork, ask if they can give you a case number and the direct contact info for whoever will be handling your theft claim. Having a specific person to follow up with instead of going through the general phone system can make a huge difference in getting timely updates. Also, don't be afraid to be your own advocate throughout this process. You're dealing with a crime that happened TO you, not something you did wrong. Your urgency about potential eviction is completely valid and they need to treat it that way. Wishing you the best tomorrow - you've got all the right documentation and knowledge now thanks to this amazing community. Please do keep us posted on how it goes! 🙏
Emma Johnson
This is such a relief to hear that the grocery store cash back worked! I'm dealing with the same issue right now - my benefits show as issued but ATMs keep declining my card. I was getting so panicked about rent too. Which grocery stores have you all had success with for EBT cash back? I know some stores have limits on how much you can withdraw at once, so I'm wondering if I need to make multiple trips or if there are stores that let you take out larger amounts.
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Ava Johnson
•From my experience, most major grocery chains like Safeway, Walmart, and Target allow EBT cash back, but the limits vary. Usually it's around $40-60 per transaction at grocery stores. FoodMaxx and WinCo tend to be pretty good about it. If you need more cash, you might have to do multiple transactions or split it between a few different stores. Just make sure to buy something small each time since you need a purchase to get cash back. Also, some stores are more flexible about the limits than others - doesn't hurt to ask the cashier if they can do a higher amount.
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Aileen Rodriguez
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My CalWORKs benefits show as issued on the app but every ATM I've tried just says "transaction cannot be completed" or something similar. It's so stressful when you need the money for rent and bills. I'm going to try the grocery store cash back method that Sofia mentioned - seems like that's working for people when ATMs aren't. Has anyone figured out if this is happening statewide or just certain counties? Really hoping this gets resolved soon because I can't keep doing multiple small transactions just to access my own benefits.
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