The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has developed a new SAR 7 semi-annual report form. Effective the date automation is complete, counties must provide the new SAR 7 form prepopulated to recipients of CalWORKs, CalFresh, California Food Assistance Program, Refugee Cash Assistance, Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program, and Entrant Cash Assistance.
CDSS also has a blank version of the new SAR 7 form to be made available in welfare department lobbies and online for on demand access. For cash aid recipients, counties must also provide the new Domestic Abuse Addendum.
Most households are required to submit a report six months after benefits are granted, and six months after completing annual recertification. Elderly and disabled households that do not have earned income are not required to submit semi-annual reports.
Counties must continue to provide the SAR forms to the household by mail, email or in person by so that it is received by the 5th day of the month it is due.
For CalFresh households, changes in immigration status, student status, fleeing felon status or a violation of probation or parole, are not required to be reported on the semi-annual report and the new SAR 7 does not ask those questions.
For CalWORKs and other cash aid, effective the date the prepopulated SAR 7 is automated, property and/or resources will no longer be evaluated semi-annually. Property and resources will only be evaluated at application and annual redetermination.
The new SAR 7 form includes questions about exemptions from the Able-Bodies Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD rules because federal rules require that screening (and it will be needed if the ABAWD rules become effective again in California at some point in the future).
The new SAR 7DA allows households to disclose any history of domestic abuse in order to receive services or assistance. Information about domestic abuse cannot be released to any outside party, agency, or county employee who is not directly involved in the case unless the information is required to be disclosed to law enforcement or the recipient gives written authorization. When an individual completes the SAR 7DA, the county must privately contact them to provide information, resources or needed accommodations.
The SAR 7DA can only be released as part of an intercounty transfer if the recipient has signed a WTW 37 release form.
The disability question on the SAR 7/SAR 7B allows disclosure of a disability or a request for assistance because of a disability. When households report having a disability or state that they need assistance because of a disability, counties must contact the household to assist and provide information, resources or needed accommodations.
When a household checks the “I am homeless” box, counties are strongly encouraged to screen households for homeless assistance or other available services, and to identify eligibility for an ABAWD exemption when necessary. (ACL 24-06, February 2, 2024.)