Maintaining CalFresh
Congratulations! You have been approved for CalFresh! Once approved, two different forms of recertification are required to maintain CalFresh Benefits. The first recertification period is the SAR7 at the six-month mark, while the second is the annual review. For information regarding on how to recertify your case, please view the information below or reach out to a CalFresh Outreach Assistant for further assistance.
SAR 7:
The Semi-Annual Review (SAR7) recertification form is a requirement from the County of San Diego used to review CalFresh eligibility six months after you’ve been approved for your CalFresh Benefits. If you fail to submit your SAR7 on time, your benefits will be discontinued, and you will need to reapply.
What is the SAR 7?
The SAR7 is a required form that the County of San Diego uses to confirm that you’re still eligible for CalFresh benefits. The SAR7 must be completed six months after the submission of your application. If you fail to submit your SAR7, your benefits will be discontinued, and you will need to reapply.
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Maintaining Benefits Timeline* |
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Initial Application |
SAR-7 Due Month |
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January |
June |
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February |
July |
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March |
August |
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April |
September |
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May |
October |
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June |
November |
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July |
December |
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August |
January |
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September |
February |
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October |
March |
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November |
April |
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December |
May |
*You may be contacted by the county a month before your SAR7 is due.
IE: If your SAR7 is due in February , the county may contact you January
How do I complete my SAR7?
You can fill out the form on your own, or if you would like extra assistance, you can make an appointment with us, and we can help you fill it out.
- If you apply independently, there are two different ways to submit your form.
- The first method is through the mail. The San Diego county will mail you a paper application. You can fill it out and send it through the post office or you may upload your paper application to LaterDocs.
- The second way is to complete the form online for CalFresh UC San Diego's BenefitsCal.
How can I report changes in my case?
If you choose to send your SAR7 through the mail, you will need to attach paper copies of all changes in your application. If you submit the form online, you can upload forms on LaterDocs. All documentation for both mail and online submissions must have your full legal name on it. You may also submit the form online on the BenefitsCal website.
- Report Change In Income
- If your income has decreased or stopped, you can upload proof of income for the last 30 days through LaterDocs. Your county will give you more information about when you have to report increases in income. If your income went up and you aren't sure if you need to report changes, you can contact CalFresh or call the San Diego CalFresh Access Line.
- Report Change of Address
- You don’t need to report a change of address if you have temporarily moved due to the pandemic. If you know you will not return to your old address, you can call your county to let them know you have moved.
What happens after I submit my SAR7?
After you submit your SAR7, the county has about 30 days. It’s highly encouraged to outreach to the UCSD CalFresh Team, you can fill out CalFresh Assistance Form and ask for updates on your SAR7. You’re welcome to outreach to the San Diego county on your own, you can call CalFresh Access Line or check out County of San Diego Family Resource Center website for an in person location.
- If additional documents are needed to be submitted, you have 30 days after the due date of the SAR7 to submit it. If you submit the form online, you can upload form on LaterDocs. All documentation for both mail and online submissions must have your full legal name on it. You may also submit the form online on the BenefitsCal website.
- Note: Please check out the SAR7 Processing Policy for CalFresh HandBook to learn more about processing procedures for CalFresh.
Every year: Recertification Renewal
What is Recertification Renewal?
Similar to the SAR7, the Recertification Renewal is a required form all CalFresh recipients must fill out to maintain their benefits. Renewal Recertification must be completed six months after the SAR7 (one year after the initial submission of your application). If you fail to submit your Recertification, your benefits will be discontinued, and you will need to reapply.
*You may be contacted by the county a month before your Renewal Recertification is due.
Example: If your Renewal Recertification is due in February, the county may contact you January.
How do I complete my Renewal Recertification?
You can fill out the form on your own, or if you would like extra assistance, you can make an appointment with us, and we can help you fill it out.
- If you apply independently, there are two different ways to submit your form.
- The first method is through the mail. You can download the PDF version of the form and send it to San Diego County.
- The second method is you can download the PDF version and upload the form through LaterDocs.
- The first method is through the mail. You can download the PDF version of the form and send it to San Diego County.
If you like extra assistance please fill out the CalFresh Assistance Form and you’ll be emailed our appointment links.
How can I report changes in my Renewal Recertification?
All documentation for both mail and online submissions must have your full legal name on it. Documentations may vary. It’s highly suggested to attach proof that the renewal recertification requests and the county may request additional proof after submitting your renewal recertification; you have 30 days after the due date of the SAR7 to submit it.
- If you choose to send your Renewal Recertification through the mail, you will need to attach paper copies of all changes in your application.
- If you submit the form online, you can upload the form on LaterDocs. You may also submit the form online on the BenefitsCal website.
What happens after I submit my Renewal Recertification?
After you submit your Renewal Recertification, the county has about 30 days to review your application. It’s highly encouraged to outreach to the UCSD CalFresh Team you can fill out the CalFresh Assistance Form and ask for updates on your Renewal Recertification. You’re welcome to outreach to the San Diego county on your own via you can call CalFresh Access Line or find a Family Resource Office (look for the closest one near you). Check out the County of San Diego Family Resource Center website for location.
If additional documents are needed to be submitted, you have 30 days after the due date of the SAR7 to submit it. If you submit the form online, you can upload the form on LaterDocs. All documentation for both mail and online submissions must have your full legal name on it. You may also submit the form online on the BenefitsCal website.
Student Testimonials
"Yes. It has also helped me with my eating habits. I did not have it before because I have to budget for everything else, more often than not I would have to really cheap out on food."
-CalFresh Student Testimony