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Zoe Papanikolaou

Can I submit my SAR7 report online through BenefitsCal or MyBenefits CalWIN?

Does anyone know if we can submit the SAR7 (semi-annual report) online now? I'm trying to avoid going to the welfare office this month since my car broke down. I've logged into BenefitsCal and poked around MyBenefits CalWIN but can't seem to find where to submit my SAR7. Am I just missing it somewhere? My report is due in 10 days and I really don't want my Cash Aid to stop because I couldn't turn it in on time. Has anyone successfully done their SAR7 online recently?

Jamal Wilson

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Yes, you can submit your SAR7 online through BenefitsCal! I've done it twice now. Log into BenefitsCal.com, go to "My Benefits" section, then look for "SAR7/Reports" or something similar. It should be under the documents or reporting section. The system will walk you through filling out all the required fields - income, household changes, resources, etc. Make sure you have any pay stubs ready to upload as images. The online system is much easier than the paper form!

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Thank you!!! I looked everywhere in BenefitsCal but couldn't find a SAR7 section. Maybe I need to update my app? Or does it only show up when your report is actually due? My worker said it was due by the 5th but I don't see any option for submitting it online yet.

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Mei Lin

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i tried using benefitscal for my sar7 last month and it was a nightmare!!! the upload feature kept crashing when i tried to submit my paystubs and then it said "form incomplete" but wouldn't tell me what was missing. ended up having to fax it anyway and almost got my benefits cut off. the old way is more reliable tbh just saying

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same happened to meeee! the website is always down when i need it most lol. i dropped mine off in the dropbox outside the county office. they have those 24/7 so u dont need appointment

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Amara Nnamani

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The answer is kind of both yes and no. You CAN submit SAR7s through BenefitsCal, but not all counties have fully implemented this feature yet. Some important things to know: 1. If you don't see the option in BenefitsCal, your county might not have activated that feature yet 2. Even in counties where it's available, the system often only displays the SAR7 option during a specific window (usually starting about 30 days before your due date) 3. Some counties still require certain verification documents to be submitted in person If you don't see it online, I'd recommend calling your worker directly to ask about electronic submission options. Many counties also have drop boxes outside the office where you can submit without an appointment, or you can mail it in as long as it's postmarked by the due date.

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This makes more sense now. My county is always behind on implementing the new systems. I've tried calling my worker for 3 days but can't get through - just goes to voicemail and nobody calls back. Do you know if there's any way to check if my county has the online SAR7 option without having to reach someone by phone?

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I've been using Claimyr.com to get through to my CalWORKs worker when I can't reach them by phone. It's been a lifesaver for sorting out my reporting issues. They connect you directly to a worker without waiting on hold for hours. Check out their demo at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE to see how it works. I had the same SAR7 question last month and used it to get through right away - found out my county does accept online submissions, but only through their county portal, not BenefitsCal.

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Mei Lin

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does this actually work?? i spent 4 HOURS on hold last time i needed to ask about my sar7 and then got disconnected right before someone picked up. literally cried

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It worked for me three times now. They got me through to someone in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. Definitely worth it if you're in a time crunch with reporting deadlines.

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NebulaNinja

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your caseworker should have told u this!!! mine didn't either and i almost lost everything. the whole system is designed to trick us into missing deadlines so they can cut our benefits. they NEVER tell u everything u need to know and expect u to be a mind reader. even if u can submit online ALWAYS KEEP PROOF. take screenshots of the confirmation page because they'll claim they never got it!!! oh and btw SAR7 is different from quarterly reporting so make sure you're not confusing the two. some benefits use different reporting schedules.

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Man ain't that the truth. They sent me a discontinuance notice last quarter even though I submitted my SAR7 online with the receipt number and everything. Had to go through a whole appeal just to prove I did it on time. System is straight up broken.

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Jamal Wilson

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If you can't find the online option, another good solution is the CalWORKs Mobile App. Many counties have rolled this out now, and you can submit your SAR7 directly through the app. It's much more user-friendly than the websites. You can take pictures of your verification documents right from your phone. Search for "[Your County] Benefits App" in the app store. Not all counties have it yet, but it's worth checking!

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Thank you! I'll check if my county has an app. Our office is so behind on technology that I wouldn't be surprised if they don't, but worth a try! At least I know I can mail it in if nothing else works.

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ok so like i just had my redetermination interview last month and my worker SPECIFICALLY told me that SAR7 has to be turned in on paper for CalWORKs in our county but CalFRESH reports can be done online it's confusing af

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Amara Nnamani

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This is exactly why there's so much confusion. The rules vary by county, and sometimes even by district within counties. Some counties have fully digital systems, others are hybrid, and some are still primarily paper-based. Always best to confirm directly with your specific worker what methods they accept in your location.

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Whatever method you use, PLEASE make sure you keep proof of submission! Take screenshots, get a receipt number, or ask for a date-stamped copy if you drop it off in person. I submitted mine online last quarter and somehow it got "lost" in their system. Had to reapply and lost a month of benefits even though I had done everything right. The system is so broken.

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This is great advice - thank you! If I do end up using the online system, I'll definitely take screenshots of everything. Sorry that happened to you - losing a month of benefits is serious when you're counting on that money!

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Amara Nnamani

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One last tip - if you end up having to submit a paper SAR7 and can't get to the office, remember you can also mail it (just keep proof of mailing date) OR have someone else drop it off for you. If someone else drops it off, write a brief note authorizing them to submit it on your behalf. Some offices are strict about this, but a signed authorization note usually works.

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Thank you! I think I'm going to try calling one more time tomorrow using that Claimyr service someone mentioned, and if that doesn't work, I'll just mail in my SAR7 with tracking so I have proof. I appreciate everyone's help!

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Oscar Murphy

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I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! My county (Sacramento) does allow online SAR7 submission through BenefitsCal, but here's the trick - the option only appears in your account about 45 days before your due date. If you're not seeing it yet and your report is due in 10 days, it should show up any day now. Look under "Documents" then "Submit Forms" rather than the main benefits page. Also, pro tip: if you're still having trouble finding it online, you can request an extension by calling the main county line and explaining your transportation issue. They usually grant a 10-day extension for good cause, which would give you more time to figure out the online submission or arrange alternative transport. Don't wait until the last minute though - call ASAP if you need the extension!

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Ella Russell

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This is super helpful, thank you! I'm actually in LA County but I'll check under "Documents" then "Submit Forms" - I was looking in the wrong section apparently. The 45-day window thing makes total sense now. And wow, I had no idea you could request an extension for transportation issues! That's really good to know as a backup option. I'm going to try looking in the right section of BenefitsCal first thing tomorrow morning, and if it's still not there I'll call about the extension. Thanks for the detailed advice!

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Hey everyone! I just wanted to share my recent experience with online SAR7 submission since there's so much conflicting info here. I'm in Orange County and successfully submitted my SAR7 through BenefitsCal last month. Here's what worked for me: 1. The online option appeared exactly 30 days before my due date (not 45 like some counties) 2. It was under "My Documents" > "Required Forms" rather than "Submit Forms" 3. The system required me to upload ALL verification docs as PDFs or clear photos - pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, etc. 4. After submitting, I got a confirmation number AND an email receipt (check your spam folder!) For those having technical issues - try using a desktop computer instead of mobile. The upload feature seems more stable on desktop browsers. Also clear your browser cache before starting - that fixed the "form incomplete" error I kept getting initially. @Zoe - definitely try the extension route that Oscar mentioned if you can't find the online option. LA County is usually pretty good about granting extensions for transportation hardships. Good luck!

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