CalWORKs SAR 7 marked incomplete - facing discontinuance but already submitted missing info online
So frustrated right now. I submitted my SAR 7 online through BenefitsCal two weeks ago, but got an email saying it was 'Incomplete.' I immediately uploaded the missing income verification they asked for the next day. Now today I get a Notice of Action in the mail saying my CalWORKs is going to be discontinued at the end of the month because of the incomplete SAR 7! I don't understand - I already fixed the problem online but they're still sending me discontinuance notices? Has anyone dealt with this before? Can I just walk into the county office to make sure they got my documents and clear this up? I can't afford to lose my Cash Aid and I'm worried the online system didn't actually process my additional documents.
31 comments


Zara Rashid
Yes, you absolutely can (and should) go to the office in person! This happens a lot with the SAR 7s submitted online. Sometimes there's a lag between when you upload documents and when a worker actually reviews them. Since you're close to the discontinuance date, don't wait for them to process it. Bring printed copies of everything - your SAR 7, the missing verification, and the discontinuance notice. Get a receipt/proof that you submitted everything in person. That way if they do cut you off, you can show you submitted everything and request they restore your benefits without making you reapply.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•Thank you! I'll go first thing tomorrow morning. Should I also call my worker? I've been trying but can't get through.
0 coins
Luca Romano
omg the EXACT thing happened 2 me last month!!! the online system is trash tbh. i uploaded my check stubs 3 different times and they still cut me off saying my SAR7 was incomplete. had 2 reapply and went without cash aid for almost 3 weeks 😡
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•Thats so scary!! Did u have to submit a whole new application or did they just fix it? I'm in a similar situation and I'm panicking about my rent coming due.
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
While waiting to go in person, I'd suggest trying to contact your worker directly as well. The Claimyr service helped me get through to my CalWORKs worker when I had a similar verification issue. You go to claimyr.com and they can connect you directly to your county office, bypassing those horrible wait times and disconnections. There's a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Even if you go in person, it helps to have actually spoken to your worker so they're expecting you. The online system and the physical paperwork don't always sync up right away, and a phone call can help bridge that gap.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•Thanks for the suggestion! I've been calling for days but keep getting disconnected. I'll try that service if I can't get through tomorrow.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
when you go in make SURE u get a date stamped copy of everything you turn in!!! i learned this the hard way when my worker claimed they never got my SAR 7 even tho i turned it in. now i make them date stamp a copy for me every time.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•That's really good advice - I'll definitely do that. I'm so nervous about losing benefits over this paperwork issue.
0 coins
Aisha Khan
This is unfortunately very common with the SAR 7 processing. The online system and the Notice of Action generation don't always communicate well. Here's what's likely happening: 1. You submitted your SAR 7 online (good) 2. It was marked incomplete because something was missing (like pay stubs or other verification) 3. The NOA (Notice of Action) for discontinuance was automatically triggered 4. You submitted the missing info online (good) 5. BUT the worker probably hasn't processed your updated submission yet The automated system sends out discontinuance notices while your updated submission sits in a queue waiting for review. Definitely go in person as others suggested. Also, if you do get discontinued despite doing everything right, request a hearing immediately - you only have 90 days from the NOA date. They should restore your benefits without a break if you can prove you submitted everything on time.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•Thank you for explaining it so clearly. That makes a lot of sense. I'll definitely go in person and bring all my receipts from when I submitted online too.
0 coins
Ethan Taylor
The same thing happened with my CalFresh too! I think all the benefit programs have this problem with online submissions. It's like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. Did you get the email confirmation when you uploaded the missing documents? Print that out and bring it with you as proof of when you submitted everything.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•Yes, I did get an email confirmation! I'll definitely print that out along with screenshots of the upload confirmation page. Thank you!
0 coins
Zara Rashid
Just a quick update question - did you end up going to the office? Were you able to get it resolved? I'm curious because I advise people on this issue frequently and like to know what solutions are working best.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•Yes! I went yesterday and brought printouts of everything. They found my documents in the system but they hadn't been assigned to a worker yet. The lady at the office put a note on my case and gave me a receipt with a case number. She said my benefits shouldn't be interrupted now that it's been flagged. Such a relief!
0 coins
Heather Tyson
That's such great news! Thanks for updating us - it really helps to know what actually works. Going in person with all the documentation seems to be the key. It's frustrating that the online system creates these gaps, but at least there's a solution. For anyone else reading this thread who might face the same issue, Sean's experience shows that bringing printouts of your online submissions, email confirmations, and upload receipts really makes a difference. The front desk staff can actually see what's happening in the system and flag urgent cases to prevent wrongful discontinuances.
0 coins
Sara Hellquiem
•This is so helpful to read! I'm new to CalWORKs and honestly had no idea the online system could have these kinds of delays. It's good to know that going in person with all the documentation can actually fix things before you lose benefits. I was worried that once you get a discontinuance notice, that's it. Sean's story gives me hope that the system can work if you advocate for yourself properly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps newcomers like me understand what to expect!
0 coins
StarSeeker
Welcome to the community, Sara! You're absolutely right that it can be overwhelming when you're new to CalWORKs. The online system definitely has its quirks, but don't let that discourage you from using it - just know that sometimes you need to follow up in person like Sean did. A few tips for newcomers: always screenshot or print confirmations when you submit anything online, keep copies of everything you submit, and don't hesitate to go to the office if something seems off. The workers at the front desk are usually pretty helpful once you get there. Sean's story is a perfect example of how being proactive and bringing documentation can save your benefits. You've got this!
0 coins
Sean Kelly
•Thanks StarSeeker! This thread has been such a lifesaver for me. I'm still pretty new to navigating all this and honestly was terrified about potentially messing up my SAR 7 when that time comes. Reading Sean's experience and seeing how supportive everyone is here makes me feel so much more confident. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and follow all the advice about keeping documentation. It's reassuring to know that even when the system glitches, there are ways to fix it if you're prepared. I really appreciate how everyone shares their real experiences - it helps so much more than just reading the official websites!
0 coins
Nina Chan
I'm so glad this worked out for you, Sean! Your experience is exactly why I always tell people to trust their instincts when something seems off with the online system. The fact that you acted quickly and went in person with all your documentation probably saved you weeks of hassle. It's really frustrating that the automated notices don't sync up with the actual case processing, but stories like yours help other community members know what to do. For anyone else reading this - Sean's approach of bringing printouts, email confirmations, and getting a receipt with a case number is the gold standard for handling these situations. Thanks for sharing your update!
0 coins
Maggie Martinez
•This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me! I'm pretty new to this community and to CalWORKs in general, and honestly I had no idea these kinds of processing delays could happen with the online system. Sean's story really shows how important it is to be your own advocate and not just assume everything is working smoothly behind the scenes. The advice about bringing printouts, getting receipts, and going in person when something seems off is going to be so valuable when I have to deal with my own SAR 7 eventually. Thanks everyone for being so helpful and sharing real experiences - it makes navigating this system feel way less intimidating!
0 coins
Miles Hammonds
I'm really glad to see this thread and how helpful everyone has been! As someone who's relatively new to this community, it's both reassuring and concerning to learn about these online system issues. Sean, I'm so relieved you were able to get it sorted out before losing your benefits - that must have been incredibly stressful! Your experience really highlights the importance of being proactive and not just waiting for the system to work itself out. I'm definitely taking notes on all the advice here about keeping documentation, getting receipts, and going in person when needed. It's stories like this that make me appreciate having a supportive community to learn from. Thank you everyone for sharing your real experiences - it makes navigating CalWORKs feel much less overwhelming for newcomers like me!
0 coins
Asher Levin
•Welcome to the community, Miles! I'm also pretty new here and this thread has been such a learning experience. It's amazing how much you can pick up just from reading everyone's real experiences. Sean's situation really opened my eyes to how the online system can have these gaps between what you submit and what actually gets processed. I had no idea you could end up with a discontinuance notice even after fixing the problem! The advice about going in person with all your documentation and getting receipts seems like such crucial knowledge that I never would have known otherwise. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps newcomers like us feel more prepared to handle these kinds of issues if they come up!
0 coins
GalaxyGazer
Welcome to everyone who's new to the community! This thread is such a perfect example of why this space is so valuable. As someone who's been navigating CalWORKs for a while now, I can't stress enough how important it is to have real people sharing actual experiences like Sean did. The official websites and pamphlets never tell you about these kinds of processing delays between the online system and the notices they send out. Sean's proactive approach - going in person with all the documentation, getting receipts, and following up - is exactly the right way to handle these situations. For all the newcomers reading this, don't be discouraged by stories like this! Yes, the system has glitches, but as you can see, there are ways to resolve them if you stay on top of things. Keep copies of everything, trust your instincts when something seems off, and don't hesitate to go to the office in person. This community is here to help each other navigate these challenges!
0 coins
Ethan Wilson
•Thank you GalaxyGazer! As someone completely new to both this community and CalWORKs, I can't tell you how valuable this entire thread has been. Sean's experience was honestly a bit scary to read at first - the idea that you can do everything right online and still get a discontinuance notice is terrifying when you're depending on these benefits. But seeing how he handled it and got it resolved really gives me confidence that the system can work if you know what to do. I'm definitely saving all this advice about keeping documentation, getting receipts, and going in person when needed. It's so reassuring to know there's a community here where people share real experiences and actually help each other navigate these challenges. Thank you everyone for being so welcoming and informative!
0 coins
Ravi Kapoor
This thread is such a perfect example of why I love this community! As someone who's been dealing with CalWORKs for about a year now, I've definitely had my share of online system hiccups, but nothing quite as stressful as what Sean went through. It's so frustrating when you do everything right and still get those scary discontinuance notices! I'm really glad you were able to get it resolved by going in person - that seems to be the magic solution for so many of these processing delays. For other newcomers reading this, I'd also add that it's worth asking for the name of the person who helps you at the front desk and writing down any case numbers or reference numbers they give you. That way if there are any follow-up issues, you have specific details to reference. Thanks Sean for sharing your experience and thanks to everyone else for all the helpful advice - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that makes such a difference!
0 coins
Maya Lewis
•Hi everyone! I'm brand new to this community and to CalWORKs, and wow - this thread has been such an education! Reading Sean's story was honestly nerve-wracking at first because I had no idea the online system could have these kinds of delays where you fix something but still get discontinuance notices. But seeing how supportive everyone has been and all the practical advice about bringing documentation, getting receipts, and going in person really gives me hope. Ravi, your tip about getting names and case numbers is brilliant - I never would have thought of that! As a newcomer, it's so reassuring to know there are experienced community members here who are willing to share real solutions. Thank you Sean for updating us on how it worked out, and thanks to everyone for creating such a helpful and welcoming space for people like me who are still figuring all this out!
0 coins
Aisha Ali
Welcome Maya and all the other newcomers to this community! It's so heartwarming to see how this thread has become such a valuable resource for people just starting their CalWORKs journey. Sean's experience really is a perfect case study of how to handle these online system glitches - the key takeaway is that being proactive and having all your documentation ready can make all the difference. For anyone new reading this, I'd also suggest taking screenshots of every step when you submit things online, not just the final confirmation. Sometimes having that visual proof of what you uploaded and when can be helpful when you're explaining the situation to office staff. The CalWORKs system definitely has its quirks, but stories like this show that with the right approach and this supportive community behind you, you can navigate through the challenges successfully. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself - you deserve those benefits and the system should work for you, not against you!
0 coins
Jay Lincoln
•Hi everyone! I just joined this community today and stumbled across this thread - what perfect timing! As someone who's completely new to CalWORKs and honestly pretty intimidated by the whole process, reading Sean's story and everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful. It's both scary and reassuring to know that these online system issues can happen but that there are real solutions when you know what to do. I love Aisha's tip about taking screenshots of every step - that's something I never would have thought of but makes so much sense! The advice about being proactive, keeping documentation, and going in person when needed is exactly the kind of practical guidance I was hoping to find here. Thank you Sean for sharing your experience and the positive outcome, and thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive environment for newcomers like me. It's clear this community really looks out for each other!
0 coins
Luis Johnson
Welcome to the community, Jay and everyone else who's new! This thread really shows the best of what this community can offer - real experiences, practical solutions, and genuine support when people are dealing with stressful benefit issues. Sean's story is a great example of why you should always trust your instincts when something doesn't seem right with the system. The fact that he acted quickly and went in person with all his documentation probably saved him from weeks of being without benefits while trying to straighten things out through phone calls and online submissions. For newcomers, I'd also add that it's worth familiarizing yourself with your local office's walk-in hours and procedures now, before you need them. That way if you ever face a situation like Sean's, you'll know exactly where to go and what to bring. The screenshot advice is spot-on too - I've found that visual proof of what you submitted and when can be incredibly helpful when explaining discrepancies to caseworkers. Thanks again Sean for sharing your positive outcome, and welcome to all the new community members!
0 coins
Giovanni Rossi
•Hi Luis and everyone! I'm also brand new to this community and just started my CalWORKs application process last week. This entire thread has been like a masterclass in what to expect and how to handle potential issues! Sean's experience was definitely nerve-wracking to read, but seeing how he resolved it and all the amazing advice from everyone here gives me so much more confidence. The tip about familiarizing yourself with local office hours ahead of time is brilliant - I'm definitely going to look that up today. As someone who's still figuring out all the online systems and requirements, it's such a relief to know there are experienced community members here who are willing to share real solutions and support newcomers like me. Thank you Sean for sharing your story and positive outcome, and thanks to everyone for making this such a welcoming and informative space!
0 coins
Gael Robinson
Welcome to the community, Giovanni and everyone else who's just starting their CalWORKs journey! This thread has been such an incredible resource - I'm also relatively new here and Sean's experience really opened my eyes to how important it is to stay on top of your case even when you think everything is going smoothly. The online system can definitely be tricky, but what I love about this community is how people share real solutions that actually work. All the advice about keeping documentation, taking screenshots, and knowing your local office procedures is gold. It's amazing how one person's challenging experience can become such valuable guidance for so many others. Sean, thank you for sharing both the problem and the successful resolution - it really helps newcomers like us feel more prepared to advocate for ourselves if similar issues come up!
0 coins