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• means test
  means test

  noun

  an investigation into the financial position of a person applying for aid from public funds.
• means-test
  means-test

  verb (used with object)

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

means test

¹ American  

noun

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

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means-test ² American  

[meenz-test] / ˈminzˌtɛst /

verb (used with object)

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

   The government proposes to means-test Medicare.

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verb (used without object)

1. to perform a means test.

   fair and responsible means-testing.

means test British  

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

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Other Word Forms

• means-tested
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of means test¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Origin of means-test²

1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

means test means-test

For residential care though the value of a person's home is generally part of the means test.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

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.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025

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".

From BBC ● May 21, 2025

Parents of children with disabilities are able to claim the maximum amount, regardless of income, but disabled adults have to take a means test.

From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2024

A more ambitious bill approaching the idea of UBI introduced by Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Mondaire Jones, would eliminate the means test, thereby creating a universal child allowance.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 6, 2023

Several charities, unions and MPs criticised the decision to means-test the payment.

From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2024

A universal basic income, or UBI, is defined as “a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement,” according to the Basic Income Earth Network.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 6, 2023

It would also means-test these pauses and make them subject to the Congressional Review Act, an esoteric law that allows the legislature to overturn actions taken by federal agencies, like the Department of Education.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2022

“If you means-test and delay implementation and put a lot of complicated requirements in, the program will not work for anyone,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2021

One way for moderates and progressives to bridge their divides is to means-test new social spending, directing it only to those who need it.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 24, 2021