means testing

Definition

Restricting government benefits to individuals below certain income or asset levels. The bureaucratic process of determining who's poor enough to deserve help, complete with forms, documentation, and indignity.

Example Usage

The new healthcare subsidy includes strict means testing, limiting eligibility to families earning less than 200% of the poverty line.

Origin

British social welfare terminology from the early 20th century

Fun Fact

Economists debate whether means testing saves money by targeting benefits or wastes money through administrative costs and reduced participation.

Source: Social welfare policy documentation

Related Terms

Beginner

crossover vote

When a legislator votes with the opposing party against their own party's position. Political treason or principled independence, depending on who's describing it and whether it helps or hurts your agenda.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Intermediate

Stump Speech

The same speech a politician gives four hundred times in different cities while pretending each audience is hearing it for the first time. It's the political version of a band playing their one hit at every county fair.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Intermediate

substitute amendment

A proposal to replace an entire bill or amendment with alternative text, essentially hitting 'select all, delete' on someone else's legislative work. It's the parliamentary equivalent of 'I have a better idea—mine.'

🏛️ Government / Politics

Advanced

germaneness rule

A requirement that amendments must be relevant to the bill being amended, preventing legislators from attaching random provisions to unrelated legislation. It's the parliamentary equivalent of 'stay on topic' with varying degrees of enforcement.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Advanced

privilege

In parliamentary law, a motion concerning the rights and privileges of the assembly or its members, taking precedence over regular business. Not to be confused with checking one's privilege, though some politicians could benefit from both.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Advanced

Redistricting

The process of redrawing political maps that happens every ten years and somehow always ends with districts shaped like abstract art. It's the political equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, except the chairs determine who runs the ship.

🏛️ Government / Politics

Translate This Term

See “means testing” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Beginner

wwudtm

what would you do to me...