Semi-Annual Reporting (SAR) Requirements

Application

At the time of the application interview, the EW must determine which households are subject to SAR requirements. The EW must provide all SAR households with a “Eligibility/Status Report” (SAR 7) for reporting changes and information, and an “Instructions & Penalties Eligibility/Status Report” (SAR 7 addendum).

Additionally, the EW must provide each SAR household with form SAR 7A, “How to Fill Out Your SAR 7.” The SAR 7A must be read and discussed with the head of household, and they must be encouraged to keep the form for future reference.

Purpose [63-508.3]

The purpose of a SAR 7 is to:

Establish eligibility prospectively on a semi-annual basis.
Report changes affecting eligibility/CalFresh allotment.
Provide supporting documentation regarding eligibility for the payment period.

The EW is responsible to assist households whose adult members have difficulty understanding and/or completing the SAR 7.

Deadlines [63-508.51]

A complete SAR 7 is due by the 5th of the submit month. It is considered timely if received by the 11th of the submit month.

Households may submit a complete SAR 7 through the extended filing date.

Late SAR 7 “NA 960X SAR” NOA [63-508.6]

Send an NA 960X SAR if the SAR 7 is not received by the 11th of the submit month. If the 11th of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next working day.

Discontinue benefits if a complete SAR 7 is not received by the extending filing date.

When determining an overissuance due to the failure of the household to report earned income in a timely manner (by the extended filing date), disallow the 20% earned income deduction on the unreported portion of the earned income, only for the 1st month of the payment period.

Exception: When good cause exists for late SAR 7 reporting, the 20% earned income disregard is allowed.

Changes Reported Outside the SAR 7

If a household voluntarily reports a change during the semi-annual period and the information is verified, the household is not required to re-report on the SAR 7. The information from the verified mid-period report is part of the case file and together with the information reported on the SAR 7 must be used to determine eligibility and the benefit amount for the next SAR Period.