means-test

¹

[meenz-test]

verb (used with object)

1. to subject (a person or a specific benefit) to a means test.

   The government proposes to means-test Medicare.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform a means test.

   fair and responsible means-testing.

means test

²

noun

1. an investigation into the financial position of a person applying for aid from public funds.

means test

noun

1. a test involving the checking of a person's income to determine whether he qualifies for financial or social aid from a government Compare needs test

Other Word Forms

• means-tested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of means test¹

1960–65

Origin of means test²

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

At primary level in Wales, universal free school meals "saves families around £500 a year per child", Ms Harwood said, but a strict means test still applied for secondary age children.

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"People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter," Reeves said.

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Speaking to BBC News NI, Lyons said he knows "how difficult it is to administer benefits. I know how difficult it is to means test benefits as well".

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The decision to means test the winter fuel allowance was one of the first announcements made by Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves almost a year ago.

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Care home residents may entirely self-fund their place, or be partially or fully-funded by their local authority depending on the findings of a means test.

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