Just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this with my nephew - keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit. The county has a habit of "losing" paperwork, and having your own copies saved me from having to restart the process multiple times. Also, when you get that school letter, ask them to include the date she enrolled at your address. That creates a clear timeline showing when she moved in with you. Some schools will also note in the letter that she's been attending regularly, which shows stability. One more tip - if your worker seems confused about the caretaker relative rules or gives you wrong information, don't be afraid to ask to speak with a supervisor. Not all workers are familiar with these situations, but supervisors usually know the policy better. You have every right to include your sister on your case as long as she's living with you full-time.

I work with families in similar situations and wanted to share some additional resources that might help. The California Department of Social Services has a specific handbook section (MPP 82-823) that covers adding household members who are caretaker relatives - you can reference this if your worker seems uncertain about the process. One thing I'd recommend is asking your sister if she has her birth certificate or any medical records that show your family relationship. While not always required, having documentation that proves you're siblings can make the process smoother. Also, don't worry too much about your mom's current benefit status. When you add your sister to your case, the county's computer system will automatically check for duplicate enrollment across cases. If there's an overlap, they'll work with you to resolve it - it's not something that will get you in trouble. The most important thing is that you're providing a stable home for your sister during a difficult family time. The CalWORKs program is designed to support exactly these kinds of situations. Make sure to emphasize on your SAR7 that this is a long-term living arrangement, not just temporary babysitting.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! What saved me was setting up text alerts through my bank app - I got notified the moment my deposit hit at like 2am on my payment day. Also, if you're really stressed about making rent on time, some landlords will accept a screenshot of your pending deposit as proof that payment is coming. Mine did when I explained the CalWORKs timing situation. And definitely look into that hardship exception Oliver mentioned - I had no idea that was even possible! The whole system would be so much easier if they just gave us exact dates upfront instead of making us guess.

I completely understand the stress of not knowing exact payment dates - I've been there too! One thing that really helped me was calling the EBT customer service line (1-877-328-9677) instead of trying to reach my caseworker directly. They can actually tell you the specific date your payment will be deposited based on your case number and any holidays that month. The wait times are usually shorter than calling your local office, and they have access to the payment calendar. Also, I started keeping a little notebook where I write down the actual date my payment hits each month - after a few months you start to see the pattern more clearly. For this month specifically, if your case number ends in 5 and there are no system delays, you should get it on the second working day. Hope this helps reduce some of that rent anxiety!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at the county office! They confirmed they received my SAR7 and said that since I submitted it before the end of the month, my benefits won't be discontinued. The worker did say that my payment might be a couple days late next month because of the late submission, but at least I'm not losing my benefits entirely. She also made a note in my file that I didn't receive the reminder notice in the mail. Thanks everyone for your help and advice - this group is seriously a lifesaver!!

So glad you got through and everything worked out! That's such a relief about your benefits not being discontinued. A couple days late is way better than losing them completely. It's really good that the worker noted about the missing reminder notice too - definitely keep that documented in case you have issues in the future. This is exactly why I love this community - we all help each other navigate this confusing system. Hope your payment comes through soon and you can get your rent sorted!

I'm a case worker at a county office and I can confirm what others have said about the "cure period." Since you submitted your renewal before the July 1st expiration (even though it was after the June 1st deadline), you should qualify for restoration without a new application. Here's what I'd recommend doing tomorrow: 1) Bring certified mail receipt or any proof you sent it on 6/26, 2) Ask specifically for "expedited processing due to imminent rent obligation," 3) Request to speak with a supervisor if the first worker says they can't expedite it, and 4) Get a case note written in your file about your hardship situation. Most counties are processing renewals within 7-10 business days right now, but with July 4th holiday it might take a bit longer. The good news is that even if you have a brief gap in benefits, they should restore everything retroactively once processed. Don't panic - this happens more often than you think and there are procedures in place to handle it.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I had a very similar situation last year where I submitted my renewal paperwork about a week late. Here's what happened and what helped me: My benefits did get discontinued temporarily, but because I had submitted the paperwork before the actual expiration date (like you did), they were able to do what they call a "restoration" without making me file a completely new application. The whole process took about 12 days from when I went in person to when I got my benefits back. What really helped was going in person first thing in the morning with ALL my documents organized - ID, the certified mail receipt showing when I sent the renewal, recent pay stubs, rent receipts, utility bills, everything. I also wrote down my situation beforehand so I wouldn't forget anything when talking to the worker. The key things to ask for: 1) expedited processing due to financial hardship, 2) speak with a supervisor if needed, and 3) make sure they document your situation in your case file. Don't be afraid to mention your rent situation - they do have some discretion to prioritize cases based on hardship. You've got this! The fact that you submitted before July 1st should work in your favor. Good luck tomorrow!

This thread is incredible - I wish I had found something like this when I first started receiving CalWORKs benefits! I'm still pretty new to the system (about 4 months now) and honestly had no idea about the cure period or most of these strategies everyone's sharing. The most frustrating part for me has been how the official notices and websites use such confusing language. Like, they'll send you a form that says "failure to provide verification may result in discontinuance" but they don't clearly explain what happens if you miss the deadline or what your options are. It's like they assume everyone already knows all the rules and procedures. I'm definitely saving all these tips - calling right when offices open, keeping copies of everything, specifically using the term "cure period" when talking to workers, and that Claimyr service sounds like a game changer for actually reaching someone by phone. It's sad that we need these workarounds, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share real practical knowledge. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here, especially the detailed explanations about the 30-day rule and ombudsperson contacts. You're helping so many families navigate this confusing system and keep their benefits - that makes a real difference in people's lives!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I just went through the exact same situation last month - got my CalWORKs discontinued because I was late with some employment verification documents. I was absolutely panicking thinking I'd have to start the whole application process over again. Thankfully I found out about the cure period just in time. The key things that worked for me were: 1) calling my worker first thing in the morning around 8am (way better success rate), 2) specifically using the words "cure period" and "reinstate my benefits" when I finally got through, and 3) uploading everything through BenefitsCal AND following up with a phone call to confirm they received it. It took about 5 business days after I submitted my documents for them to process everything and get my benefits turned back on. The stress was unreal but knowing about that 30-day window made all the difference. For anyone dealing with this - don't give up! Keep calling, be persistent, and make sure you mention the cure period specifically. The workers seem to respond better when you use the exact terminology they recognize. And definitely keep records of everything you submit!