Benefits Eligibility System for Oklahomans (BESO)

About this grant

This grant will support the Community Action Project of Tulsa County’s Benefits Eligibility System for Oklahomans (BESO), an Internet-based eligibility screen tool, benefits calculator and benefits form generator for more than 30 public benefit and work support programs. Many low-wage families are unaware of the work support programs for which they qualify, unable to successfully apply, or do not know how to apply for and access these benefits.Multiyear funding will enable the organization to extend BESO to a greater number of low-wage Oklahomans. Specific activities will include establishing a more efficient connection between the public benefits and the low-income/low-wage families who need them; helping qualified families make informed decisions about using additional household income by offering financial education and investment opportunities; sharing information gleaned from this project with stakeholders and public entities; and making recommendations about how best to serve low-income and low-wage families.The Community Action Project of Tulsa County has been providing services to help the Tulsa community’s working poor become economically self-sufficient for more than 30 years.This is one of three Mott grants to explore employer-based benefits access models.