CalWORKs SAR 7 submitted on time but not processed - will December benefits still come?

Generally speaking, if you submitted your SAR 7 on time and have proof (like that receipt you mentioned), your benefits should continue even if they're behind on processing. The county has to process timely submitted reports, but they do get backlogged sometimes, especially around holidays. If your December benefits don't come on your regular payment date, immediately contact your worker with proof of timely submission. Do you have a photo of the stamped receipt just in case?

THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!! I turned in my SAR 7 last quarter and they didn't process it for nearly a MONTH and then had the nerve to send me a discontinuance notice! When I finally got through to someone they fixed it and backdated my benefits but it was AFTER my rent was due and I got hit with late fees. The system is broken!!

I would definitely call your worker now rather than waiting. The rule is that if you submit your SAR 7 by the 11th of the submit month, they must process it in time for your benefits to continue uninterrupted. Since you said you submitted three weeks ago, you're well within that timeframe. But sometimes things get lost in the shuffle or stuck in the system. When you call, make sure to document when you called and who you spoke with. If you can't get through after multiple attempts (which is common), I recently used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person at the CalWORKs office within 25 minutes instead of trying for days. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - definitely worth it when you need to resolve time-sensitive issues like this.

in my experience if u submitted on time you'll get your money. they might be backed up. happens every quarter

Hmm, this reminds me of what happened to my sister last year. She had submitted her SAR 7 and it showed as pending for weeks. She ended up not getting her benefits on time, but that was because she had a change in income that put her over the IRT (Income Reporting Threshold) and didn't report it separately. Did you have any big income changes since your last report? If so that could be why it's taking longer to process.

I would absolutely call now rather than waiting until your benefits are late. The earlier you address this, the better chance of avoiding any interruption. Here's what you should do: 1. Call your worker directly if you have their direct number 2. If you can't reach them, call the main CalWORKs line for your county 3. Be prepared with your case number and the date you submitted your SAR 7 4. Mention specifically that you have proof of timely submission (the stamped receipt) 5. If they say it's still being processed, ask for confirmation that your December benefits won't be delayed If you're still worried after calling, you can also go in person to the office. Sometimes walking in and speaking with someone face-to-face can resolve these issues faster than waiting on the phone.

I just wanted to say that I hope it works out for you! I know how stressful this can be especially with rent coming up. CalWORKs has been a lifesaver for my family but sometimes the stress of dealing with the paperwork and uncertainty makes me wonder if it's worth it. Sending good vibes your way!

Update: I finally got through to my worker today! She apologized and said they're very backed up right now but confirmed my SAR 7 was received on time and is in the system. She's going to process it today and my December benefits should come through on my regular payment date. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your advice.

That's excellent! For anyone else reading this who might face a similar situation, remember that timely submission (before the 11th of your submit month) is your protection against benefit interruption. Even if processing is delayed, your benefits should continue if you submitted on time. Always get and keep that receipt! Also, the county should provide what's called "adequate and timely notice" before cutting benefits - meaning they must notify you at least 10 days before the end of the month if your benefits will be cut for the following month. Without that notice, they generally can't just stop your benefits, especially if you have proof of timely report submission.

So glad to hear everything worked out! This is exactly why I always recommend calling sooner rather than later when there are processing delays. It's frustrating that the system gets so backed up, but having that direct confirmation from your worker makes all the difference. Your experience will definitely help other people who find themselves in the same situation - thanks for sharing the update!

Welcome to the community, NeonNova! It's great that you're being proactive about learning from everyone's experiences. The SAR 7 process can definitely feel overwhelming when you're new to it, but you're already on the right track by keeping your receipt and planning ahead. One tip I'd add is to take a photo of your completed SAR 7 before submitting it - that way you have a record of exactly what you reported in case any questions come up later. The CalWORKs system has its quirks, but once you get used to the routine it becomes much more manageable. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about your first reporting period!

I'm really glad to see this thread and how it worked out for Miguel! As someone who's been navigating CalWORKs for a few years now, I can say that processing delays are unfortunately pretty common, especially during busy periods. What I've learned is that persistence really pays off - calling early and often, keeping detailed records, and not being afraid to advocate for yourself. The workers are usually helpful once you get through to them, but the system itself can be slow. For anyone facing similar situations, don't hesitate to escalate to a supervisor if your worker isn't responsive. And always, always keep those receipts! They're your lifeline when things get complicated.

This is such a perfect example of why staying proactive with CalWORKs paperwork is so crucial! Miguel, I'm really glad you got this resolved and that your worker was able to process everything on time. Your experience highlights something I've learned over the years - that stamped receipt is absolutely golden when dealing with any kind of processing delays. For anyone else who might be reading this thread in the future, I'd also suggest keeping a simple log or calendar note of when you submit important documents like SAR 7s. Write down the date, time, and if possible, the name of the person who processed your submission. It might seem like overkill, but when you're dealing with time-sensitive benefits that your family depends on, having that extra documentation can save you a lot of stress and potential complications down the road. Thanks for sharing your update - it's so reassuring to see these situations work out, and your experience will definitely help others who find themselves in similar circumstances!