I'm also in Arizona and have a similar question: what if we received a hardship check 6 days after filing Chapter 7? We had applied for it earlier and didn't know if we were going to be approved, but we couldn't wait to file any longer because of an eminent foreclosure? We have not deposited the check and our 341 meeting is next week. Would it be okay to deposit it after the meeting or do we need to wait until the discharge? We really need the money because we need a car and a place to live soon. Thanks for any help!