means test

means test (plural means tests)

1. An inquiry into the financial position of a person applying for some form of financial assistance in order to determine their eligibility.
   • 1970, Princeton Alumni Weekly, volume 71, page 14:

     Accordingly, the dean's office has been consulting with other graduate schools over the development of a fair means test.

• means-test
• means-tested

means test (third-person singular simple present means tests, present participle means testing, simple past and past participle means tested)

1. To apply a means test to an individual or group.

• matteness, nestmates, seatments, statesmen