i thought cash aid was 60 months too!!! when did it change to 48?????

This is such important information for families to understand! Just to add a bit more clarity - even though CalFresh doesn't have time limits for families with children, you still need to stay on top of your recertification requirements. Make sure you submit your SAR 7 forms on time and report any income changes within 10 days. Missing these requirements is actually the most common reason people lose their CalFresh benefits, not time limits. Also, if you're working or in school/training programs, you might qualify for additional CalFresh deductions that could increase your benefit amount. It's worth asking your worker about the earned income deduction, dependent care deduction, and shelter cost deduction to make sure you're getting the maximum benefits you're entitled to!

UPDATE: i went to BofA yesterday and got all my cash aid money at once! the teller was really helpful and didnt charge any fees. i deposited it to my checking account and paid my rent online. going to fill out that direct deposit form too so i dont have this problem again. thanks everyone for your help!!!!

So glad you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - you can also check your EBT cash balance anytime by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or logging into the EBT cardholder portal online. This way you know exactly how much you have before going to the bank. Also, some Bank of America locations have longer lines than others, so if you're in a hurry like Isabella was, calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you stress!

So glad you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always recommend people check their approval letters carefully - the county doesn't always communicate these changes clearly. For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar situation, here are the key things to look for in your approval letter: - "Reporting Requirements" section will say either "Semi-Annual" (SAR 7 every 6 months) or "Annual" (once per year) - If it says "Annual Reporting" you should have a specific date listed for when your annual renewal is due - Keep that approval letter somewhere safe so you can reference it! It's frustrating that the system doesn't give you a clear message about why your SAR 7 isn't showing up, but at least now you know you're good until October. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - it'll help other people who run into this same issue!

Reading through this entire thread has been such a journey! @DeShawn I'm so glad you got it resolved and it turned out to be something positive (annual reporting instead of a system glitch). The relief you must have felt when you found out you didn't even need to submit anything! This whole situation really illustrates how much we all help each other navigate these confusing systems. The amount of practical advice shared here is incredible - from the Claimyr suggestion to the tips about emailing handwritten forms, to checking approval letters for reporting requirements. I've learned so much just from reading everyone's experiences. What really stands out to me is how quickly everyone jumped in to help when someone was in crisis. That's the kind of community support that makes all the difference when you're dealing with bureaucracy that can literally affect whether you have money for rent and food. For anyone who finds this thread in the future with similar SAR 7 panic - you're not alone, there are solutions, and this community has your back! The key takeaways seem to be: check your approval letter for reporting type, document everything with screenshots, and don't be afraid to use multiple submission methods if the online system fails. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. This is exactly why communities like this are so important! 🙏

Glad you got it figured out! Just an FYI for the future (this happened to me) - even if you fix the WTW sanction now, they might not restore the lost amount from this month. That $71 instead of your full grant might just be gone. It sucks but that's how they do it with sanctions. At least your CalFresh back-payment will help make up for it somewhat.

So glad you got this sorted out! This is exactly why I always tell people to treat every piece of mail from the county like it's urgent - even if it looks like "just information." They have a sneaky way of burying important deadlines in what seems like routine paperwork. For anyone else reading this thread, here's what I've learned from my own experience: take photos of every document they send you and set calendar reminders immediately. Also, if you ever can't make a required appointment, call them BEFORE the date to reschedule. They're usually more willing to work with you if you're proactive rather than reactive. The system is definitely not user-friendly, but stories like yours show that most issues can be resolved if you can actually get through to someone who knows what they're doing. Thanks for sharing the update - it'll help other people who find themselves in the same situation!

BTW did u check if they got ur food stamps too or just the cash aid? sometimes they take everything!

I'm so sorry this happened to you - what a horrible situation to wake up to! I went through something similar about 6 months ago and it's absolutely terrifying. One thing that really helped me was calling my landlord immediately (even on the weekend) and explaining the situation with proof. I took screenshots of my EBT account showing the theft and sent them along with a brief explanation. My landlord actually gave me an extension when they saw it was fraud, not just me being late on rent. Also, make sure you file that police report ASAP on Monday - some counties won't process the benefit replacement without it. And ask your CalWORKs worker about "special circumstances" funding - it's different from regular emergency assistance and can sometimes be approved faster when there's documented fraud involved. For immediate food help this weekend, try calling churches in your area even if you're not religious. Many have weekend food pantries or can connect you with families willing to help. The Salvation Army also sometimes has emergency weekend assistance. Hang in there - this is NOT your fault and there are people who will help you through this!