Means-testing doesn’t solve.
Zachary Baker 21, B.A. candidate at the University of Louisville, writing their senior honors theses, server at Red Lobster, former server at Texas Roadhouse and Kentucky Fried Chicken, 2021, "Assessing universal basic income proposals: a comprehensive analysis of established studies," https://ir.library.louisville.edu/honors/287
Additionally, means testing can create a welfare “spider web,” which traps people within a state of poverty by eliminating assistance once people move slightly above the requirements. The current requirements of the U.S. welfare system encourage recipients to work, but only for the minimum wage, and not to improve further their living standard. This is because, after a certain threshold, means testing will determine that these families no longer need assistance. Consequently, net income could actually decline, if the enhanced wages in a better job do not exceed the minimum wage earnings plus welfare benefits. The result is that means testing creates a significant disincentive to find work that pays somewhat more, and this traps families near poverty.5 A UBI program avoids this difficulty. Those administering the program do not inquire into the needs of the people requesting the money. No one must prove that they need a UBI grant.