What is SAR 7 or periodic report
Submit your periodic report to keep your CalFresh benefits
A Semi-Annual Report, also called SAR 7 or a Periodic Report, tells your county about changes to your situation. You usually need to submit it 6 months after you apply for CalFresh, even if nothing has changed.
Your county will let you know when it is time to submit your SAR 7 and give you a due date. Check your mail and your BenefitsCal account for messages about your report.
Submit your SAR 7 by the due date so your benefits do not stop. Your county will use it to decide if you can continue receiving CalFresh.
- Information you might need
Use information from your reporting month. This is usually the month before your SAR 7 is due. For example, if your report is due December 11, your reporting month is November.
- You may need to report
- Your address
- People on your application
- Income from work or other sources, such as government benefits, unemployment insurance, or a pension
- Expenses, such as housing, utilities, medical care, or child care
- Documents you may need
You must submit proof of your income, even if it has not changed. You may also need proof of other changes you report. Examples include:
- Pay stubs from the last 30 days or benefit award letters
- Your last pay stub and a letter from you or your employer if you lost a job
- A bill or statement with your name and new address if you moved
Check your SAR 7 for any place that says “attach proof.”
Your county may ask for more documents after you submit your report.
Submit proof of anything that has changed since you applied. If you are not sure what proof to include, sending more information may help your county review your report faster.
How to submit your SAR 7
You can submit in person at your county office, or choose whichever option below works best for you.
- Submit online through BenefitsCal
Sign in or create an account
Go to BenefitsCal.com. Sign in to your account or create one using your email address and a password.
Link your CalFresh case
Go to “Things to do” and select “Link a case.” You will need your 7-digit CalFresh case number. You can find it on your EBT card or a letter from your county.
It may take 3 hours or until the next business day for your case to appear in your account.
Submit your report
Go to “Things to do” select “Start your periodic report” and follow the instructions. Your county may ask you to upload more documents.
- Complete a PDF and upload it
Fill out the form
Complete the form using information from your reporting month. Sign and date it.
Gather the required documents
You must submit proof of any income you made, even if it hasn’t changed.
Upload the form and documents to BenefitsCal
Select “Case Number” then choose “Periodic Report (SAR 7)” as the document type.
- Submit by mail or fax
Download and print the form
Complete, sign, and date the SAR 7 form. If your county mailed you a form, use that copy.
Mail or fax the form
Send the form and required documents to your county by mail or fax.
Need help before applying?
If you have questions about documents, the interview, or your specific situation, our team can help.
After you submit
In about 10 days, you should receive a notice about your benefits.
Your county may call you or send you mail if they need more information or documents. Check your BenefitsCal account and your mail for updates.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need to submit my SAR 7?
SAR 7 is usually due about 6 months after you apply for CalFresh. For example, if you applied in January, your SAR 7 may be due in June. The rules may be different if everyone in your household is age 60 or older or has a disability. Check the due date on your notice or contact your county if you are unsure.
What happens if I miss the SAR 7 deadline?
If you do not submit your SAR 7 by the deadline, your CalFresh benefits may be delayed or stopped. You can usually submit your SAR 7 and required documents by the end of the following month to restore your benefits. You may receive a smaller amount for the month when your report was late.
Contact your county if you missed the deadline and need help restoring your benefits.
What should I submit if I lost my job?
Submit proof of any money you received during the last 30 days, including your final paycheck. It can also help to submit proof that your job ended. This could be a letter, email, or text from your employer. If you do not have proof, write and sign a letter explaining that you are no longer working. Include the last day you worked.