I'm new to this community and to CalWORKs, but this entire discussion has been incredibly helpful and honestly quite alarming. I had no idea that missing a SAR7 form could happen so easily or that the system had so many communication gaps. @Marcus Patterson, I'm so relieved you were able to get everything resolved! Your situation really highlights how stressful this process can be when you're depending on these benefits for your family. What strikes me most is how everyone here jumped in to help with practical solutions - from explaining the 90-day restoration period to sharing specific services like Claimyr. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes such a difference when dealing with complicated bureaucracy. I'm definitely taking notes on all the tips shared here: setting up calendar reminders regardless of notices, checking spam folders, knowing about the cdss.ca.gov form downloads, and having backup plans for when phone lines are impossible. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge - it's going to help so many families avoid this same panic!

As a new community member, I'm honestly shocked reading through this entire thread about how complicated and stressful the SAR7 process can be! @Marcus Patterson, I'm so glad you were able to get your benefits sorted out before they were cut off - what a relief that must have been! This discussion has been incredibly educational for someone like me who's just starting to navigate the CalWORKs system. I had no idea about all these potential pitfalls: mail not being delivered, BenefitsCal not always working properly, county offices being nearly impossible to reach by phone, and notifications ending up in spam folders. The amount of practical advice shared here is amazing - from Alice's professional insights about the 90-day restoration period to Owen's suggestion about Claimyr, and Lydia's detailed steps for finding forms online. It really shows how this community looks out for each other when dealing with these bureaucratic challenges. I'm definitely taking all these tips to heart: setting calendar reminders regardless of official notices, checking spam folders regularly, knowing backup options like downloading forms from cdss.ca.gov, and having services like Claimyr as a last resort. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is going to be a lifesaver for families facing similar situations!

As someone who just joined this community, I found this entire thread incredibly helpful! I'm currently going through a similar situation where my roommate (who was on my CalWORKs case) moved out unexpectedly last month. Reading through everyone's experiences has given me the confidence to take action instead of procrastinating out of fear. The landlord letter idea is brilliant - I never would have thought of that as documentation. It's also reassuring to see that even though there might be a benefit reduction, the case stays open as long as you're honest and report changes promptly. Thank you all for being so supportive and sharing real experiences rather than just theoretical advice. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating these systems less overwhelming!

This is such a comprehensive thread with amazing real-world advice! As a newcomer to this community, I'm impressed by how everyone jumped in to help with practical solutions. The progression from initial panic about removing an ex from the case to a successful resolution is exactly what people need to see. A few key takeaways that stood out to me: 1) The 10-day reporting requirement is crucial to avoid fraud issues, 2) Multiple documentation options exist (landlord letters, utility bills, written statements), 3) Going in person can bypass phone system frustrations, and 4) While benefits may decrease with household size changes, it's far better than risking overpayments. Manny's positive outcome shows that while these situations feel overwhelming initially, they're totally manageable with the right approach and timely action. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread will definitely help others facing similar household changes!

Hi Chloe! I'm new here but wanted to share some encouragement after reading through all these helpful responses. It sounds like you've gotten some really solid advice about the good cause exemption process, and I'm glad to see so many people sharing their positive experiences with it. One thing I'd add is that you might also want to ask about getting connected with a domestic violence advocate or family support services in your area, even if you don't think your situation rises to that level. Sometimes they can provide additional documentation or support letters that help strengthen a good cause claim, and they understand the dynamics of toxic relationships really well. Also, remember that you deserve this help - you're working, you're caring for three young children on your own, and you're being responsible by looking for ways to make ends meet during a difficult time. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're doing anything wrong by applying for benefits you're entitled to. It sounds like you have a solid plan now with gathering those old messages and being upfront about the safety concerns from the start. Wishing you the best with your application, and I hope you get the financial relief you need while you look for better work opportunities!

Hi Chloe! I'm also new to this community and found myself in a very similar situation about a year ago - single mom, already on CalFresh, needed CalWORKs due to work issues, and really worried about the child support requirement because of safety concerns with my ex. I want to echo what everyone has said about the good cause exemption being real and worth pursuing. What really helped me was going into the appointment with a clear timeline written out of concerning incidents, even if I didn't have formal documentation for everything. I included dates (even approximate ones), what happened, and how it made me feel unsafe. The eligibility worker told me that a pattern of threatening or controlling behavior is definitely something they take seriously for good cause determinations. Your mention of "bad arguments" and him causing "problems" when there's contact might be more significant than you think in terms of qualifying for the exemption. Also, I found it helpful to frame it in terms of what's best for the children - that avoiding conflict and maintaining stability for them was important. The workers really do seem to prioritize child welfare in these decisions. Don't let the fear of this requirement keep you from applying. The financial stress you're under with reduced hours is real, and CalWORKs can provide crucial support. You've gotten so much great advice here about being prepared and knowing your options. You've got this!

I'm really glad you asked this question because it's something so many people worry about unnecessarily! Everyone here has given you absolutely correct information - credit card purchases and cash advances are definitely NOT income for CalFresh reporting purposes. They're debt that you have to pay back, which is the complete opposite of income. I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago when my hours got cut and I had to rely on my credit card for groceries and utilities. I was terrified during my recertification that somehow using credit would get me in trouble, but my worker explained it exactly like others have here - CalFresh only cares about actual income sources, not how you manage to pay for things when that income isn't enough. The silver lining in your situation is that with reduced hours, you'll likely qualify for higher CalFresh benefits! Make sure to bring your recent pay stubs to document the change. And definitely look into CalWORKs like others suggested - I wish I had known about that option when I was struggling. One practical tip: I started keeping a simple list of my actual income sources (job, any side work, etc.) to refer to during appointments. It helped me stay focused on what actually needed to be reported instead of overthinking every financial transaction. You're going to do great at your renewal - just be honest about your work situation and don't stress about the credit card usage at all!

I'm so glad to see this question being asked and all the helpful responses! As someone who recently went through a CalFresh renewal after experiencing financial difficulties, I can absolutely confirm what everyone is saying - credit card purchases and cash advances are NOT considered income for CalFresh purposes. I was in a very similar situation last year where I had to use my credit card for groceries and even took a cash advance to help with rent. I was terrified about how to handle this during my renewal, but my eligibility worker explained it clearly: credit is debt that you have to repay, not income. CalFresh only cares about money coming in that you don't have to pay back - like wages, unemployment benefits, disability payments, etc. What really helped me was preparing documentation of my actual income changes rather than worrying about credit usage. Since your hours were cut to 22 per week, focus on gathering recent pay stubs to show that income reduction. You'll likely qualify for increased CalFresh benefits, which could help reduce your reliance on credit cards for food purchases going forward. I also want to echo what others have said about CalWORKs - definitely worth applying! Many people don't realize you can qualify for cash assistance while working part-time. The program is designed to supplement employment, and it could help you avoid those expensive cash advances in the future. Don't stress about your renewal appointment. Workers see situations like yours all the time, especially with how many people have had their hours reduced lately. You're being responsible by asking questions and making sure you understand the rules correctly!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely can get CalWORKs for your baby even without the father's signature on the birth certificate! I went through this exact situation two years ago when my son's father was incarcerated during my entire pregnancy. The key is being completely upfront about everything during your application process. When I explained that the father was incarcerated and couldn't establish paternity, my eligibility worker was actually very understanding and helped me complete the good cause exemption form right away. My benefits were approved within a few weeks and I never had any issues with child support enforcement because his incarceration was properly documented. Make sure to bring any information you have about which facility he's in - it really helps speed up the process. Don't let this delay your application though, because every day counts for those retroactive benefits! You're doing such a great job advocating for your baby during what I know is an incredibly difficult time.

I'm so glad you found this community and asked this question! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful for me too as I'm currently pregnant and my baby's father was recently incarcerated. I was panicking about what this would mean for getting CalWORKs when the baby arrives, but seeing all these success stories and practical advice has really put my mind at ease. The information about the CW 51 good cause exemption form is exactly what I needed to know, and it's so reassuring to hear from both parents who've been through this AND a caseworker that this situation is actually pretty common and manageable. I'm definitely saving all this advice for when I need to apply in a few months. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's amazing how much this kind of peer support helps when dealing with complicated government systems. Wishing you the best with your interview and hope everything works out smoothly for you and your baby!