I've been through this exact situation multiple times! One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications in my BenefitsCal account if you haven't already. Go to your account settings and enable SMS alerts - they'll text you if there are any updates or if they need additional documents. Also, if you do end up calling and can't get through to your specific caseworker, ask to speak with the "worker of the day" - they can access your case and tell you the status of your SAR 7. Sometimes they can even see notes that aren't visible online about what documents they might still need. Don't stress too much though - you submitted it with time to spare and it shows as received. That's already better than a lot of people who wait until the last minute!

I went through this same anxiety when I first started submitting online! One thing that helped me feel more secure was calling the main CalWORKs number and asking them to verify not just that they received my SAR 7, but also to confirm what specific documents they have on file. Sometimes they'll say "we have your SAR 7" but when you ask them to list the attachments, you find out one of your pay stubs didn't upload properly or something. Also, if you're really worried about timing, you can always drop off a backup copy in person at the office with a cover letter saying "backup copy of SAR 7 submitted online on [date]" - that way you have double protection. I know it defeats the purpose of submitting online, but for peace of mind it might be worth it the first few times until you get comfortable with the system. The fact that you submitted it several days early puts you in a good position though! Most people I know who have issues are the ones submitting on the very last day.

This entire conversation has been absolutely eye-opening! I'm a single mom who just started the CalWORKs process and I'm currently in a paralegal certificate program. Reading everyone's experiences, especially about SIP status and college CalWORKs offices, has completely changed how I'm approaching this. I was so worried that I'd have to choose between my education and getting help for my kids. My intake worker made it sound like their job readiness programs were mandatory, but now I understand I have options! The paralegal program I'm in leads directly to employment and I started it before applying for benefits, so it sounds like I should qualify for SIP status. I'm definitely calling my college tomorrow to find their CalWORKs office. The fact that they can advocate directly with your caseworker and help with all the paperwork sounds like it could save me so much stress. I had no idea these resources existed! Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. Stories like Tasia's give me so much hope that it's possible to pursue meaningful career training while getting the support your family needs. This community is incredible for helping people navigate such a complex system. I'll definitely update once I get everything sorted out with my education plan!

This thread has been incredibly informative and gives me so much hope! I'm a newcomer to both CalWORKs and this community, and I had no idea about most of these options. I'm currently in a respiratory therapy program that I started before applying for benefits, and my caseworker has been pushing me toward their job training workshops instead. Reading about SIP status and college CalWORKs offices is a complete game-changer! I was honestly starting to panic thinking I'd have to choose between my education and keeping benefits for my family. Respiratory therapy is definitely career-focused with great job prospects, especially after COVID showed how critical these healthcare roles are. I'm calling my college first thing tomorrow to find their CalWORKs office. The fact that they can help with paperwork and even talk directly to your caseworker sounds amazing. I've been dreading my upcoming WTW meeting, but now I feel like I actually have a plan and know my rights. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - especially Tasia for the detailed updates showing it really works! This community is such a valuable resource for navigating this complex system. Stories like these prove that persistence and self-advocacy really do pay off when you're trying to pursue meaningful career training.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. Losing your mom is incredibly difficult, and having to navigate these administrative issues while grieving just makes everything so much harder. You've handled this situation absolutely perfectly. Reporting her death the very next day shows incredible responsibility during such a difficult time, and not touching the benefits demonstrates your complete integrity throughout this process. What you're experiencing is unfortunately very common. The EBT system runs on automated schedules that often don't sync up immediately with case changes, even when deaths are reported promptly like you did. I've seen this happen in my own family - benefits can continue loading for weeks or even months after a death is properly reported because the system had already queued up those benefits before the case could be officially closed. When you go to the county office with the death certificate, make sure to bring the EBT card with you. They'll close the case retroactively to your mom's date of death, and you won't owe anything back since you reported everything properly and haven't used the benefits. This is clearly a system timing issue, not any wrongdoing on your part. I'd definitely recommend asking for a receipt when you turn in the card and getting written confirmation that you properly reported everything. The county workers handle this scenario regularly and will understand completely - your case notes will show you reported the death immediately, which demonstrates your honesty throughout this entire process. Please don't let this add unnecessary stress during an already overwhelming time. You're being incredibly thoughtful and responsible when you have so much else on your mind. Take care of yourself.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jean Claude. What you're going through is heartbreaking, and you're handling everything with such grace and responsibility during an incredibly difficult time. I'm new to this community, but reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening about how common this EBT timing issue actually is. It sounds like you've done absolutely everything right - reporting her death immediately and not touching the benefits shows complete integrity on your part. From what everyone has shared, it seems like bringing the death certificate and EBT card to the county office together is the key step, and asking for written documentation when you turn everything in is really smart advice. The fact that so many people here have experienced the exact same situation and had it resolve smoothly is really reassuring. I hope this gets sorted out quickly for you so you can focus on taking care of yourself and processing your grief without this administrative worry hanging over you. You're clearly a thoughtful and honest person, and that's evident in how you've handled this entire situation. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share something that might be really helpful for your friend's situation. When I had to deal with a settlement payment while on benefits, one thing that made a huge difference was understanding that this is actually a very common scenario that county offices handle all the time. Here's what I learned that might help your friend prepare: When she calls to report the settlement, she should ask the caseworker to explain the specific timeline for her county. Some counties will give you a written notice with exact dates for when benefits will be suspended and when you can reapply, while others handle it more informally. Getting those dates upfront helped me plan better. Also, something I wish I'd known earlier - if your friend has any ongoing medical expenses related to the car accident (physical therapy, medication, etc.), she should ask the caseworker whether using settlement money for these expenses affects how they're counted. In my case, using some of the money for accident-related medical costs was viewed more favorably than just general spending. One practical tip: when she makes the call, she should ask if her county has a specific settlement reporting form or if a verbal report is sufficient. Some counties prefer written documentation right away, while others are fine with a phone report followed by documentation later. Your friend is really smart to get all this information beforehand. The unknown is always scarier than reality, and it sounds like she's going to handle this exactly right. The temporary benefit interruption is manageable when you know what to expect!

I'm new to this community but wanted to add something that might help your friend with the emotional side of this situation. When I had to report a settlement while on CalFresh last year, I was incredibly stressed about it - not just about losing benefits temporarily, but about feeling like I was somehow "cheating" the system even though I was doing everything right. What really helped me was reframing the situation: your friend isn't doing anything wrong by receiving this settlement. She was hurt in an accident, and this money is compensation for that harm. The reporting requirement isn't about punishment - it's just about keeping the county informed so they can determine eligibility accurately. One thing I learned is that caseworkers actually appreciate when people are proactive about reporting changes. My worker told me that it makes their job much easier when people call in with clear information rather than them having to discover unreported resources later during reviews. Here's a practical tip that really helped me: I called during mid-morning on a weekday (around 10-11 AM) when the phone lines seemed less busy. I got through much faster than when I tried calling first thing in the morning or right after lunch. Also, your friend should know that even if her CalFresh gets suspended temporarily, she can still access food banks and other community resources during that time. Many food banks don't have income or resource restrictions and can help bridge the gap while she's getting her benefits sorted out. Your friend is handling this exactly right by being informed and proactive. She should feel proud of herself for wanting to do the right thing!

I just went through this exact situation last month! My SAR7 was 5 days late and I was missing my rent verification. The 3-day review timeline they gave you is pretty standard - they can't just process it over the phone when it's both late AND incomplete because it requires supervisor approval. What really helped me was following up on day 3 if I hadn't heard anything yet. In my case, they ended up approving it and my benefits continued without any gap. The key is that you got those missing documents in quickly after they told you what was needed. Try to stay positive - from what I've seen, most people who get their paperwork in within a day or two like you did end up being fine. The waiting is definitely the hardest part though!

I'm also dealing with CalWORKs right now and this thread has been so helpful! I had a question about the BenefitsCal portal - when your case is under review like this, does it usually show any kind of status update or does it just stay as "active" until they make their decision? I've been checking mine obsessively every day but it never seems to change, even when I know they're processing something. Also, has anyone had luck with emailing their worker instead of calling? Mine has an email listed but I wasn't sure if that's actually a good way to follow up or if phone calls are better. Thanks for sharing all your experiences - it really helps those of us who are new to navigating this system!