I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the scheduling issues with CalWORKs interviews are absolutely maddening! I've been on benefits for about 18 months and have experienced this exact scenario multiple times. They scheduled my last recertification interview for 2pm, I arranged coverage at my job (which was not easy), and they didn't call until 3:15pm when I was already back at work serving customers. Here's what I've learned: First, don't panic about your benefits ending on 10/31. As long as you complete your interview before that date, your benefits will continue. The interview is happening now because they need time to process your recertification before your current period expires. Keep calling the customer service line - try calling right at 8am when they open, that's when wait times are shortest. When you do get through, be very clear that you were available at the scheduled 9am time and they called at 10:03. Ask them to document this in your case notes so it's clear this was their scheduling error, not yours. Also, when you reschedule, ask them to put specific notes about your work hours in your case file. I did this after my scheduling nightmare and my next interview actually happened on time! The system is broken and frustrating, but they will work with you if you're persistent. You're doing everything right - don't let their disorganization make you think otherwise. You've got this!

I'm new to CalWORKs and this thread is honestly both terrifying and incredibly helpful! I just got approved last month and haven't had my first recertification yet, but reading everyone's experiences with scheduling issues has me really worried about what to expect. It sounds like missed/late calls are basically guaranteed rather than the exception, which is crazy when you think about how much stress people are already under when they need these benefits. The fact that Paolo arranged his work schedule around their 9am appointment and they called over an hour late is exactly the kind of thing that could cost someone their job! I'm definitely taking notes on all the strategies people have shared - calling at 8am, documenting everything, asking for notes in case files about work schedules, screenshotting appointment texts. It shouldn't require this level of strategic planning just to access benefits you qualify for, but I'm grateful this community exists to help newcomers like me understand how to navigate the system. Paolo, I hope your Monday interview goes perfectly and you get everything sorted before your deadline! Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed advice - this thread is going to be my reference guide when my time comes.

As someone who's been through the CalWORKs system with two kids, I want to emphasize what others have said - DO NOT let them intimidate you into thinking you have no options! The childcare assistance is not just available, it's YOUR RIGHT as a CalWORKs recipient required to do WTW activities. Here's exactly what to do: Call your worker and say "I am requesting Stage 1 childcare assistance and need the CCP1 and CCP2 forms immediately." If they give you any pushback or say there's a waiting list, remind them that federal and state law requires them to provide childcare before mandating work activities. I also want to add something others haven't mentioned - keep detailed records of every conversation with your worker. Write down dates, times, and what was discussed. If they try to sanction you for "non-compliance" when you don't have childcare, you'll need this documentation for any appeals. The system is confusing by design, but don't let that stop you from getting the help you and your child deserve. You're not asking for handouts - you're accessing programs specifically designed to help parents transition to work while ensuring their children are safely cared for. Stay strong and keep advocating for yourself!

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding CalWORKs childcare assistance! As a newcomer to the program, I was completely overwhelmed during my intake appointment when they mentioned work requirements but barely explained the childcare support available. What really stands out to me is how many people almost got sanctioned simply because they weren't told about their right to childcare assistance upfront. It seems like the system expects you to already know about programs like Stage 1 childcare and forms CCP1 and CCP2, rather than clearly explaining these options during orientation. For other newcomers reading this: the key takeaways seem to be 1) immediately request childcare assistance using specific terms, 2) don't let them pressure you into work activities without childcare in place, 3) document everything, and 4) remember this is your right, not a favor. I'm planning to call my worker tomorrow armed with all this knowledge. It's unfortunate that we have to become experts in our own benefits just to access basic services, but I'm grateful for this community sharing their experiences so openly. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space for navigating this complex system!

I'm having the exact same problem! I've been trying to submit my SAR7 online for over a week now and keep getting that "nothing to do at this time" message. My worker in Orange County also told me I could do it online, but after reading through everyone's experiences here, it's clear that the online system isn't actually available in all counties yet, despite what workers are telling us. This is so frustrating because I've wasted hours trying to figure out what I was doing wrong on the website when it turns out the problem is that the feature just doesn't exist in my county! I really wish the workers would get accurate information about which counties actually have online SAR7 submission working instead of sending us on these wild goose chases. I'm definitely taking everyone's advice and going back to the paper form. With my deadline approaching, I can't risk my benefits getting cut off because of a broken website. I'll fill out the paper SAR7 and drop it off in person to get that receipt - seems like having proof of submission is absolutely crucial based on what everyone is sharing here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences! This community has been so much more helpful than trying to call the county office. At least now I know I'm not alone in dealing with this mess and that it's not user error on our part!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! I've been trying to submit my SAR7 online through BenefitsCal for the past few days and keep getting that frustrating "nothing to do at this time" message. My caseworker in Sacramento County told me I could submit it online, but clearly that's not working out. After reading through everyone's experiences here, it's become really clear that there's a major disconnect between what workers are telling us and what's actually available in each county. It sounds like the online SAR7 submission feature is still being rolled out inconsistently, but workers aren't always aware of the current status for their specific areas. I really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions and warnings about getting proof of submission. I was getting so frustrated thinking I was doing something wrong on the website, but now I understand it's a system-wide issue. I'm definitely going to take the advice here and just fill out my paper SAR7 form and drop it off in person to get that receipt. It's such a relief to find this community and realize I'm not the only one struggling with this. The support and shared experiences here are way more helpful than anything I could get from calling the county office! Thank you all for taking the time to help each other navigate this confusing system.

I've been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now and this is my first tax season since starting benefits. Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful! I was definitely overthinking this - I kept going back and forth on whether to report my $2,800 refund or not. Now I understand I need to report it but it won't hurt my eligibility. Quick question for anyone who knows - when you write "TAX REFUND" on the SAR7, do you put the gross refund amount or just the federal portion? I got refunds from both federal and state taxes. Should I list them separately or combine them into one entry? Thanks again everyone for making this so much clearer than the official paperwork does!

I went through this exact situation last year and can confirm what everyone is saying - you absolutely need to report your tax refund on your SAR7, but it won't count against your benefits! I was terrified when I got my $4,100 refund (including EITC and Child Tax Credit) because I thought it would push me over the income limit. But my eligibility worker explained that ALL tax refunds are exempt from income calculations for CalWORKs. Just make sure you clearly write "TAX REFUND - EXEMPT" next to the amount in the other income section. I also recommend submitting your SAR7 in person or online if possible so you have proof of submission date. The 12-month resource exemption is really important too - it means even if you save that money, it won't count toward your $10,211 asset limit for a full year. Don't let anyone scare you into thinking you'll lose benefits over reporting a tax refund correctly!

Reading through this thread as someone who's been on CalWORKs for about 8 months now, I'm really impressed by how supportive and knowledgeable this community is! Alexander, your experience perfectly demonstrates why it's so important to self-report even when you're late - the difference in how they handled it compared to what could have happened if they discovered it during a review is huge. I wanted to share something that might help others: my county actually has a specific voicemail line just for reporting income changes. You can leave a detailed message with your case number, the income details, and when you received it, and they'll process it and call you back. It's been really helpful when I can't get through during regular phone hours. Not sure if all counties have this, but it's worth asking about! Also, for anyone dealing with irregular income from gig work or side jobs, I've found it helpful to take screenshots of payment notifications from apps like Venmo or CashApp as backup documentation, especially for those smaller cash payments that might add up over time. The practical advice shared here is invaluable - this is the kind of real-world guidance that makes navigating these benefit requirements actually manageable!

This entire discussion has been such a valuable learning experience! As someone who's been on CalWORKs for about a year and occasionally does some tutoring work, I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and practical advice. Alexander, I'm so glad everything worked out for you! Your situation really highlights how important it is to be proactive and honest, even when you're scared about potential consequences. The fact that they treated it as an inadvertent error shows that the system can be fair when people are acting in good faith. What I find most helpful about this thread is all the real-world strategies people have shared - the phone reminders for the 10-day window, keeping detailed records of all income (including cash payments), asking for reference numbers when reporting by phone, and even simple things like writing your IRT limit on a sticky note where you'll see it daily. These are the practical tips that actually help you stay compliant day-to-day. I had no idea about some of the options people mentioned, like requesting modified reporting schedules for irregular income or the text reminder services that many counties offer. I'm definitely going to look into both of those - they could make managing my tutoring income so much less stressful. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive community where people can share real experiences and learn from each other!