Clearly the function of means checking is not to reduce costs as the process is expensive and the ROI compared to combatting tax fraud. Clearly the function of

Clearly the function of means checking is not to reduce costs as the process is expensive and the ROI compared to combatting tax fraud. Clearly the function of means checking is not to restrict access to only those in need as it often creates hoops to jump through that can be impenetrable for those who need it the most. So maybe the function of means checking is to do what it succeeds at doing, which is creating an "us" vs "them" distinction, to give even those scarcely outside the eligibility someone to look down on and accuse of fraud and being "welfare queens" and to maintain a negative attitude toward those in need while strengthening association with those on "your" side even if their financial situation is a thousand lifetimes removed from yours and poverty is only a bad month or health issue away.