Editing Means test (section)

==United Kingdom==
{{see also|Welfare state in the United Kingdom}}
Resentment over a means test was among the factors giving rise to the [[National Unemployed Workers' Movement]] in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wcml.org.uk/contents/protests-politics-and-campaigning-for-change/unemployment/national-unemployed-workers-movement/ |title=National Unemployed Workers Movement}}</ref> Today, '''means-tested benefits'''—meaning that entitlement is affected by the amount of income, savings, capital and assets— is a central feature of the benefit system.<ref>{{Citation | last = D'Arcy | first = Cliff | title = The Financial Times Guide to Managing Your Money | year = 2009 | pages = 159 | publisher = Financial Times | isbn = 978-0-273-71703-4}}</ref> Means testing is also part of the determination of [[legal aid]] in a [[Magistrates' court (England and Wales)|magistrates court]] and for the higher [[Crown Court]]. The means test is based on income, family circumstances and essential living costs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-legal-aid-means-testing |date=1 June 2014 |title=Criminal legal aid: means testing|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2020-02-26}}</ref>
The [[Beveridge Report]] of 1942 proposed a system of contributory benefits which would leave only a residual role for means-tested benefits which were then called [[National Assistance]].
The income limits are specified in relation to the needs of a household and for savings there are [[Capital rule|upper limits]] for some of the benefits. A couple who are not married may be treated as [[Cohabitation in the United Kingdom|living together as a married couple]].

The main means-tested benefits in 2019 were:

* [[Income Support]]
* Income-based [[Jobseeker's Allowance]]
* Income-related [[Employment and Support Allowance]]  
* [[Pension Credit]] 
* [[Universal Credit]]
* [[Housing Benefit]]
* [[Working Tax Credit]]
* [[Child Tax Credit]]
Receipt of such benefits other than [[Housing Benefit]] and tax credits is a passport to other non-cash help such as [[free school meals]], free [[prescription charges]], [[Legal Aid]], [[cold weather payment]]. The claimant, their partner and dependent children are covered. The rules for  free [[NHS dentistry]] and [[Eye care in the United Kingdom|optical charges]] have become more complex since the introduction of [[Universal Credit]] and have led to many people facing financial penalties, often wrongly.<ref>{{cite news |title='Go to the dentist and get fined £100' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41639456 |first1=Sean |last1=Coughlan |accessdate=15 April 2019 |publisher=BBC |date=18 October 2017}}</ref>
People who are not entitled to any of the qualifying benefits may be able to qualify for help with health charges by a separate means test, the [[NHS Low Income Scheme]].
Defunct benefits include:
* [[National Assistance]]
* [[Supplementary Benefit]]
* [[Family Credit]]
* [[Family Income Supplement]]
* [[Social Fund (UK)]]