Getting CalWORKs SAR 7 reminder emails at night even after submission - is DPSS processing after-hours?

yep happens all the time with me. got one at like 9:30pm once. the system is automatic and doesn't know what u did or didnt do yet. dont stress

Those SAR 7 reminder emails are sent through an automated system that isn't always in sync with what you've actually submitted. The good news is that if you submitted through BenefitsCal and have a confirmation email, you have proof of timely submission. I'd recommend logging into your BenefitsCal account to verify your SAR 7 shows as "Submitted" in your case details. If you're really concerned, you can upload it again (the system accepts duplicates) or call your worker directly to confirm receipt.

I've seen this happen with CalWORKs emails coming at weird hours. The county offices use automated systems that run batch processes after hours. Your SAR 7 might be in the system but not fully processed yet. The reminder emails are probably scheduled regardless of whether you've submitted or not. If you want to be 100% sure, try calling your caseworker. When I had a similar issue last month, I tried calling for three days and kept getting the "all representatives are busy" message before getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they kept my place in line and called me back when a worker was available. Showed me a video of how it works beforehand: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE. My worker confirmed my SAR 7 was received but just sitting in the processing queue.

These late night emails are definitely weird but normal. The CalWORKs system runs batch processes after business hours to avoid slowing down their systems during the day. I've worked in IT (not for DPSS), and this is pretty standard. One thing to be aware of - if you submitted your SAR 7 close to the deadline, sometimes the automated reminders are already queued up to send before the system recognizes your submission. The reminder system and the processing system don't always talk to each other right away. As long as your BenefitsCal account shows it as submitted, you're fine. TAKE A SCREENSHOT though! Always document everything with the CalWORKs system.

DPSS IS THE WORST!! I got 5 different reminders about my SAR 7 even after I hand-delivered it to the office and got a receipt!! Then they still discontinued my Cash Aid saying they never got it! Had to do a whole appeal and everything. Their stupid computer system is from like 1995 I swear. ALWAYS KEEP RECEIPTS WITH THESE PEOPLE!!!!!

I think the after-hours emails might be a new thing? I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and just started noticing late night emails in the past few months. Used to always get them during the day. Maybe they updated their systems finally lol

Just to add some important information - even if you've submitted your SAR 7, make sure it was completely filled out with all required information. A common reason people get discontinuance notices is that their submitted SAR 7 was incomplete. The system might register it as "received" but when a worker reviews it, they could determine it's missing information. Common SAR 7 errors include: - Missing income verification for reported income - Not reporting all household members - Not signing the form (if uploaded as PDF) - Not answering all questions (especially the income change questions) If your submission was complete and you have confirmation, you should be fine, but it never hurts to check with your worker.

this one time i got an email at like 3am about my calworks interview lol. freaked me out but everything was fine

I think u should call them anyway, just 2 b safe. once I got discontunued even tho I sent everything on time bcuz they said they "lost" my stuff. but really they just didnt want to admit they messed up!!!