I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm in almost the exact same situation - single parent, working part-time retail, and just found out I'm at 41 months on my time limit. My caseworker mentioned it like it was no big deal and I've been losing sleep over it ever since. Reading everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful. I had NO IDEA there were extensions available or that work hours could stop the clock. My worker definitely never mentioned the CW 2190A form or any of these options. It really does feel like they're hoping we don't know our rights. I'm going to request my time calculation immediately and ask about the extension form. Also going to double-check that my work hours are being counted properly - I usually work 25-30 hours a week at my retail job so hopefully some of those months don't count toward the limit. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and knowledge. This community is literally a lifeline when the system seems designed to keep us in the dark about our options!

I'm a newcomer here but this thread is exactly what I needed to find! I'm at 45 months and just got the "you're approaching your time limit" letter in the mail. Like everyone else, my worker never explained ANY of these options - just said I need to "prepare for the end of benefits." Reading through all these responses has been eye-opening. I had no clue about the CW 2190A form, work hour exemptions, or that there were specific circumstances for extensions. I'm a single dad with two kids and work nights stocking at a grocery store (usually 30+ hours), so it sounds like I might have some options I didn't know about. The part about requesting a case review for time calculations really caught my attention - I was in a job training program for about 4 months last year and wonder if those months were incorrectly counted against my limit. Going to call my worker tomorrow (or try Claimyr if I can't get through) to request my detailed time calculation and that extension form. This community has already been more helpful than my entire county office! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

I've been through this exact situation multiple times and completely understand your anxiety! The key thing that saved me from benefits interruptions was learning to fill out the SAR7 like it's a brand new application every single time, regardless of whether anything changed. Here's my foolproof approach that has worked for 2+ years: **Never use shortcuts like "no changes" or "same as before"** - the system flags these as incomplete. Instead: - Write "$0.00" in every income box if you have no income - List every household member's full name and relationship again - For resources/property: Write "NONE" if you don't have any, or list everything you have (even that old car or small bank account) - Fill in your complete address even if it hasn't changed **The zero income explanation is crucial!** In the additional information section, I always write something like: "I currently have $0 income. My basic needs are met through CalWORKs cash aid ($XXX/month), CalFresh benefits, and occasional assistance from family for utilities and transportation." **Submit early and keep proof!** I submit mine at least a week before the due date and always keep a copy with proof of submission (receipt if in-person, tracking if mailed, screenshot if online through BenefitsCal). The most important thing I learned: when in doubt, over-explain rather than under-explain. It's much easier to provide extra information upfront than to deal with a discontinued case later. You've got this - just be thorough and treat it like your first time applying!

I just went through this same stress with my SAR7 last month! One thing that really helped me was calling the county office's automated line to confirm they received my form after I submitted it. Most counties have a system where you can check the status of your paperwork by entering your case number. Also, if you're really worried about getting it right, some counties let you submit a draft first for review before the official due date. I did this once when I was unsure about a section - they looked it over and told me exactly what to fix before I submitted the final version. The biggest mistake I made early on was not dating everything properly. Make sure you use the correct reporting month dates, not just the date you're filling out the form. And like everyone said, definitely keep copies! I scan mine with my phone and email them to myself as backup. One more tip - if you have to submit by mail, use a service that gives you tracking confirmation. The $3-5 extra cost is worth the peace of mind knowing exactly when they received it. Good luck with your form - sounds like you're being way more careful than most people, so you should be fine!

I'm new here and just went through this exact same nightmare last week! What finally worked for me was calling the BenefitsCal customer service line (1-877-847-3663) instead of my county office. The wait was still long but not as bad, and they walked me through finding the form step by step. They told me to log in, click "My Dashboard," then scroll down to "Quick Actions" and look for "Submit Required Documents." From there you can select SAR 7 from a dropdown menu. The rep also mentioned that if you're really stuck, you can request to have a paper form mailed to you through that same Quick Actions section - just select "Request Paper Form" instead. Hope this helps someone avoid the stress I went through!

I just went through this exact same frustration two weeks ago! After reading through all these responses, I want to add one more option that saved me: if you have the MyBenefitsCalWIN mobile app on your phone, you can actually submit your SAR 7 through there too. Go to "Documents" then "Upload Document" and select "Semi-Annual Report" from the dropdown. The mobile interface is actually cleaner than the website version. You can take photos of each page of your completed form directly through the app instead of having to scan anything. Just make sure the photos are clear and all text is readable before submitting. This was a lifesaver for me since I don't have a printer or scanner at home. The whole process took maybe 10 minutes once I figured out where everything was located in the app.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the county office! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and it actually worked. The worker told me they're processing my claim and it should be resolved within 5-7 business days. She also recommended I apply for emergency food assistance through the local food bank which I'm going to do tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

So sorry this happened to you! I work at a local community center and we see this unfortunately way too often. While you're waiting for your benefits to be restored, here are some immediate resources that might help: 1. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) for emergency food assistance in your area 2. Check if your local Salvation Army or Catholic Charities has emergency rent assistance programs 3. Many food banks don't require any paperwork and can help immediately 4. Some churches have emergency funds for rent assistance even if you're not a member Also, when you call the county again, specifically mention that you're at risk of homelessness due to this theft - they have special protocols for cases involving housing instability. Document everything and don't give up! You did nothing wrong and they need to fix this quickly.

Just wanted to add my experience here! I went through this same panic last year when I got my refund right before my renewal. I called my county office and they confirmed what everyone is saying - tax refunds are completely exempt and don't need to be reported. What really helped me was actually reading the CalWORKs handbook section on exempt income. It's all spelled out there if you want to see it in writing. The exemption covers ALL types of tax refunds - regular refunds, EITC, Child Tax Credit, everything. One tip: if you're still worried, you can always ask your worker to note in your case file that you asked about this and they confirmed refunds are exempt. That way there's documentation if any questions come up later. But honestly, this is such a standard rule that most workers know it by heart. Don't stress about it - file your taxes when you're ready and use that refund for whatever you need!

I'm so glad you asked this question because I was literally in the same boat last year! I was getting my first big tax refund with the Child Tax Credit and was terrified it would mess up my benefits. Just to echo what everyone else is saying - you are 100% safe. Tax refunds are completely exempt from CalWORKs income calculations. I ended up getting almost $5,000 back and it didn't affect my benefits at all. My worker actually rolled her eyes a little when I asked about it because apparently this is one of the most common questions they get during tax season! The key thing that gave me peace of mind was learning that the exemption isn't just some loophole - it's specifically written into the program rules because lawmakers recognize that tax refunds are basically your own money being returned to you, not new income. Don't let the stress of this keep you from filing your taxes on time. File when you're ready, use that money for whatever you and your kids need, and don't worry about your CalWORKs renewal. The two things are completely separate!