SAR7 submitted online 2 weeks ago - no response from CalWORKs worker and March benefits in jeopardy

They're SUPPOSED to process it within 10 days but I swear they never do. One time mine sat for 3 weeks with no one looking at it!!! Call the main office number and ask to speak to a supervisor instead of your worker. They'll probably still make u wait but at least someone else might check on it.

When you submit through BenefitsCal, there should be a confirmation number or receipt on your dashboard showing you submitted it. Do you have that? If you do, your benefits shouldn't be cut off even if they haven't processed it yet because you submitted before the deadline. If I were you, I'd take a screenshot of that confirmation and save it just in case. Also, since you have a documented medical condition, you should request a reasonable accommodation from your CalWORKs office. They're required to accommodate your agoraphobia by law, which could include assigning you a worker who responds more reliably by phone or email.

I used to have the same problem with my worker never calling back. I started using Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it completely changed my experience getting through to CalWORKs. They'll wait on hold for you with the county office and call you when they get a real person on the line. You can see a demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE It saved me when I had an emergency SAR7 situation similar to yours. Since you mentioned you're housebound, this might be especially helpful since you don't have the option to go in person.

Technically the county has 10 BUSINESS days to process SAR7 forms after submission. Since you submitted on Feb 15, that would be around March 1st for the 10 business days to be up. But that doesn't help when your rent is due! Here's what I'd recommend: 1. Call the general helpline and specifically say you need urgent assistance because your benefits might be interrupted 2. Ask for a supervisor if nobody helps 3. If you have documentation of your agoraphobia, remind them they need to accommodate your disability 4. Keep checking BenefitsCal daily to see if there's any update If they haven't processed it by the 29th, call again and explain your benefits will lapse and you need emergency processing. They can often push it through same-day when it's urgent.

honestly its so frustrating how they expect us to meet all these deadlines but then take forever to do there part!!!! my worker is the same way never calls back and then has the nerve to send me threatening notices about discontinuing my benefits if i dont respond to HER right away 🙄

Just want to say I understand your anxiety! I had similar issues last year. One thing that helped me was emailing my worker AND CC'ing their supervisor (you can usually find the supervisor's email by calling the main office). When I did that, I suddenly got responses! Also, make sure everything on your SAR7 was filled out properly - if you accidentally left anything blank or marked any income changes, they sometimes take longer to process those.

ok so i mite be wrong but i think even if they dont process it yet as long as u submitted before the deadline ur march benefits should still come. thats what happened 2 me last yr. i submitted my sar7 online on the very last day and they didnt process it for like 2 weeks but i still got my cash aid on time!!! i was super worried to but it worked out

Update??? Did u get your benefits? This happened to me last month and i had to bug them every single day!!

I just wanted to add one more thing - make sure to document everything. Take screenshots of your submitted SAR7 in BenefitsCal, write down the dates/times you called, names of anyone you spoke with, etc. If there is a problem with your March benefits, having this documentation will help you if you need to file for a fair hearing to get retroactive benefits. CalWORKs is required to follow certain timelines for processing your paperwork, and if they fail to do so but you submitted on time, you have rights to appeal any benefit interruptions.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I had a similar situation a few months ago where my SAR7 got stuck in processing limbo. What really helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when the office opens (usually 8am) - that's when you're most likely to get through to someone. Also, if you have your confirmation number from when you submitted online, have that ready when you call because it helps them locate your case faster. The good news is that since you submitted before your deadline, your benefits should technically continue even if they haven't finished processing yet. Keep us posted on how it goes - we're all rooting for you!