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Semi-Annual Reporting

What is Semi-Annual Reporting?

You must turn in a report once every six months rather than every three months. This means that you must:

  • Complete a Semi-Annual Eligibility Income Report (SAR 7) only once; and
  • Follow the yearly Renewal rules during the 12th month.

For CalWORKs: You do not have to follow Semi-Annual Reporting rules if you follow Annual Reporting rules.

For CalFresh: You must follow Semi-Annual Reporting rules. You can contact the County if you need more information.

Your information provided on the SAR 7 and Renewal will be used to determine your eligibility to benefits for the six-month period.

You must report the following information on the SAR 7 and Renewal:

  • Income;
  • Property;
  • Address; and
  • Any other changes to the household.


What are my Mandatory Mid-Period Responsibilities?

You must report the following changes within 10 days from the date the change happens.

  • Total monthly income is more than the Income Reporting Threshold*;
  • Address changes;
  • You become a fleeing felon; and
  • You are on probation or have parole violations.

*The Income Reporting Threshold is the amount of income that you must report within 10 days. By “total monthly income,” we mean any money you get. Any time your Income Reporting Threshold changes, we will tell you in writing what the new income amount is.

What is the SAR 7?

The SAR 7 is a report that:

  • Shows the month you need to report all changes that occurred (5th month/Report Month);
  • Shows the month you need to turn in the report (6th month/Submit Month);
  • Asks for information about all income, work and training that occurred in the 5th month (Report Month);
  • Asks for all information about household members or costs that have changed since your application or Renewal.
     

How do I submit my SAR 7?

You can submit your SAR 7 in person, by mail, or online.

Where do I submit my SAR 7? You can submit your SAR 7 online at:  Log In | BenefitsCal. Together, we benefit.
 

Where can I find out more information about the SAR 7 Forms?

  • You can click on a printable SAR 7 below.

English     Spanish     Armenian     Cambodian     Chinese     Korean     Russian     Tagalog     Vietnamese  

  • How to Fill Out Your SAR 7 Semi-Annual Eligibility/Status Report for Cash Aid and CalFresh (Food Stamp) Benefits (SAR 7A): Gives you instructions on how to complete the report.

English     Spanish     Armenian     Cambodian     Chinese     Korean     Russian     Tagalog     Vietnamese  

  • Instructions and Penalties SAR 7 Eligibility/Status Report for CalWORKs and CalFresh (SAR 7 Addendum): Gives you a list of examples for the type of proof that  must be attached to the SAR 7 and the penalties that you can receive if you report false information on purpose.


When is my SAR 7 due?

Your SAR 7 is DUE by the 5th of the Submit Month.

When would my SAR 7 be late?

Your SAR 7 would be LATE when received after the 11th of the month. However, the report will be accepted through the 1st working day of the next month.

Example: The May 2022 SAR 7 (Report Month) must be submitted in the month of June 2022 (Submit Month). You have until July 1, 2022 (Monday) to submit the report which is the first working day of the next month.

What happens if my SAR 7 is late?

  • You may not receive your benefits on time;
  • You may be overpaid and be overissued benefits.
     

When is my SAR 7 complete?

Your SAR 7 is complete when you:

  • Provide proof of all changes that occurred during the 5th Month/Data Month;
  • Complete all the boxes;
  • Sign, date, and submit the SAR 7.


Who must sign the SAR 7?

For CalWORKs, you and your spouse and/or yourself and your domestic partner, if living together, must sign the SAR 7 under penalty of perjury. This means that by signing the SAR 7, you have been truthful in completing the information on the SAR 7, and you understand that there may be consequences if false information is given.


What SAR cycle was assigned to my case

Your CalWORKs and CalFresh case are assigned to one of six cycles which is based on the date your family became eligible to benefits. To find out what cycle you belong to, follow these steps:

  1. Review the papers you receive by mail to determine the cycle you belong to. The PA 6107 or the chart below is an example of a form which displays the cycle you belong to;

  2. Understand the following SAR cycle terminology when reviewing the chart below:
    • SAR Data Month – The month for which the customer reports all information necessary to determine eligibility. The SAR Data Month is the 5th month of each semi-annual period.
    • SAR Submit Month – The month in which you must turn in the SAR 7 or the Renewal forms. This is the month after the SAR Data Month and is the 6th month of each semi-annual period.
    • SAR Payment Period – The period in which benefits are paid/issued. The SAR Payment Period is the six-month period immediately following the SAR submit month
       
  3. Find the SAR cycle in the chart below; and

  4. Review the Data Month and Submit Month column to determine when your SAR is due and for which month you need to report and provide information.

    Example 1: You applied and were eligible to benefits in March. Your case is assigned to cycle 3. You will report for the month of July (Data Month) and must submit the SAR 7 report in August (Submit Month). The next time you will need to report is during the Renewal in February of the following year.

    Example 2: You applied and were eligible to benefits in September. Your case is assigned to cycle 3. You will report for the month of January of the following year (Data Month), and you must submit the SAR 7 report in February (Submit Month). The next time you need to report is during the Renewal which is August.

 

Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR) Cycle
SAR
Cycle
Number		 1st Month
of SAR Period		 2nd Month
of SAR
Period		 3rd Month
of SAR
Period		 4th Month
of SAR
Period		 Data
Month/5th
Month of
SAR 
Period		 Submit
Month/6th
Month of
SAR 
Period
1 January  February March  April May June
July August September October November December
2 February March April May June July
August September October November December January 
3 March April May June July August
September October November December January  February
4 April May June July August September
October November December January  February March
5 May June July August September October
November December January  February March April
6 June July August September October November
December January  February March April May