Overview
Maximize your monthly income
Many low-income families struggle each month to pay for utilities, food, clothing, medical expenses, and childcare. Our benefits eligibility screening tool is designed to help you stretch your monthly income by identifying pubic benefits that you may be eligible to receive.
After a 15-20 minute screening process, you will receive a list of benefits that you qualify for, along with the amount of those benefits and information about applying.
For most programs operated by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) - including Food Stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF, and Childcare Assistance programs - you can apply electronically for benefits through the BESO system, saving at least one initial visit to a DHS office.
BESO is intended to help you understand the government benefits for which you are eligible and to help you apply to receive those benefits. For example, receiving $200 a month in Food Stamps will allow you to save that $200 on food and put it instead towards rent or mortgage expenses, medications, education, childcare, school supplies, or other essential expenses.
BESO will save you time as well as money. By using the BESO system, you can find out at one time all of the benefits for which you qualify, rather than making multiple trips to different locations. You will also know exactly what application materials to bring to your appointment with DHS or other service agencies, which will eliminate repeat trips due to lack of information.
Why CAP offers this program
According to the 2000 Census, in the greater Tulsa County area, nearly 55% of all workers earn less than or equal to $25,000 annually (equivalent to one household member working full-time at $12 per hour). Over 31% of Tulsa area households earn less than $25,000 per year. For thousands of low-income Tulsa families, applying for public benefits and work support programs is essential to help meet basic needs such as food and nutrition assistance, childcare, and healthcare.
In response to community needs, CAP developed the Benefits Eligibility System for Oklahomans, or BESO. BESO is an Internet-based eligibility screening tool, benefit calculator, and electronic application generator for nearly 50 public benefit programs such as Food Stamps and Medicaid.
CAP has recruited other partner agencies in Tulsa who also use BESO to help their clients access public benefit programs. BESO allows all participating organizations to join together to help improve the lives of needy Oklahomans.