Where to update income on SAR7 for CalWORKs - BenefitsCal confusion

You can actually do it either way! The SAR7 can be completed on paper OR through BenefitsCal. If you're doing it online, log into your BenefitsCal account, click on "My Benefits" and look for the "Semi-Annual Reports" section. There should be a button to complete your SAR7 there if it's due. Make sure you upload any pay stubs or proof of income for verification when submitting online. Personally, I prefer doing mine online because you get a confirmation number right away, and there's less chance of your paperwork getting lost. Just make sure you complete it before the deadline (usually the 5th of your SAR7 month).

I just did this last week! If u dont see it on benefitscal then do the paper 1. Thats what i did bc i couldnt find mine online either. Make sure u send copies of ALL ur paystubs for the report month (the month listed on top of SAR7). If u miss even 1 paystub they can cut u off!! I learned that the hard way last year 😑

The online SAR7 option doesn't always show up right away for everyone. It's a relatively new feature and some counties are still rolling it out. If you don't see it online, definitely complete the paper form they sent you. For the paper form: - Fill out ALL sections even if your situation hasn't changed - For income, complete Section 2 with exact amounts earned - Sign and date at the bottom (both you and your spouse if applicable) - Attach ALL pay stubs or proof of income for the report month - Keep a copy of everything before submitting - Get a receipt if you drop it off in person I've been on CalWORKs for 3 years and learned it's always better to over-document than risk a discontinuance!

anybody else think its ridiculous that they give us so many different ways to report but then dont make it clear which one we SHOULD use?? my worker tells me one thing then the office tells me another thing when i call. then i get letters saying i did it wrong. its like they WANT us to mess up and lose benefits!!!!

If you're having trouble reaching your worker to clarify this, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation where I needed to confirm how to report my income properly but couldn't get through to my worker for days. Claimyr got me connected to a live person at the CalWORKs office in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE Since this is your first time reporting income changes, it's definitely worth speaking directly with your worker to make sure you're doing it correctly. They can also tell you if your county allows online SAR7 submissions yet.

Regarding your missing paystub - you should include a note explaining the situation, but they really do need verification of ALL income. Ask your employer if they can provide some kind of printout or even an email confirming your hours and pay for that missing week. Also, make sure you're reporting your income correctly. On the SAR7, you need to report the income you RECEIVED in the report month, not necessarily what you EARNED. So if your paycheck for work done in late April wasn't given to you until May 3rd, that counts as May income, not April income. This trips up a lot of people.

Just to clarify about the paystubs - if you absolutely cannot get the missing paystub by the deadline, submit what you have with a detailed note explaining: 1. The exact dates you worked 2. How many hours each day 3. Your hourly rate 4. Why the paystub is missing 5. When you expect to receive it Then CALL your worker right after submitting to explain the situation. This shows good faith effort to report properly. When you get the missing paystub, submit it immediately as an update. Also - don't forget that if your new income puts you above the Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) for your household size, you must report it within 10 days, even outside of your regular SAR7 period. Your IRT amount should be listed on your last approval notice.