> This is the Markdown of a Backed Help Centre page, https://admin.backed.giving/help/administrator/funding-rounds/eligibility-screener.md. Every page is listed at https://admin.backed.giving/help/llms.txt.

> This page uses Backed's default terms, such as Funding Round and Application Template. An organisation may rename them, so read each as your organisation's own term if you've renamed it.

An eligibility screener is a short set of questions applicants answer before they can start an
application. Depending on how you set it up, Backed judges the answers itself, staff decide them, or
both. `Eligibility` is your organisation's own term if you've renamed it.

## Before you start

Create the screener under `Plan > Form templates > Eligibility Screeners` with `New Screener`. Its
option scores and rules are set on the screener's own fields there.

## Add a screener to a round

1. On the round's `Details` step, choose it under `Eligibility screener`.
2. Under `Screener settings`, choose `How applicants are judged`:
   - `Automatic`: pass on the pass score, or when every rule is met. Everyone else is ineligible.
   - `Manual`: staff decide every response from the `Pending eligibility` tab.
   - `Automatic, then staff`: pass automatically where the answers allow it; every other response
     waits for staff.
3. Set the `Pass score`, or leave it blank to judge by the rules alone.
4. Write the `Ineligible message` and the `Pending message` applicants read.
5. Turn on `Allow retake` to let an applicant found ineligible answer again, and `Show to Assessor`
   to let assigned assessors see the answers and verdict.
6. Select `Save screener`.

## Decide pending responses

1. Open the round and select the `Pending eligibility` tab.
2. Select `Decide` on a response.
3. Choose the `Verdict`: `Eligible` sends them a link to start their application; `Ineligible`
   sends them the round's ineligible message. Add a `Reason`.
4. Select `Save decision`.

For an applicant found ineligible, `Allow retake` lets them answer the screener again.

## Require register facts

A round can require facts from the public business and charity registers before an application can
be submitted. They are separate from the screener and from your organisation's own registration.

1. Open the round and select the `Pending eligibility` tab.
2. Under `Register requirements`, tick what the round needs: `Active ABN`, `Registered for GST`,
   `DGR endorsed`, `ACNC registered`, `NZBN registered` or `Registered charity (NZ)`.
3. Select `Save requirements`.

A requirement is greyed out with `Turn on <register> in Settings` until your organisation turns
that register on (see [Business and charity registers](../../integrations/registers.md)). If a
register is turned off later, a requirement the round already has stays, and you can still clear
it.

An application that fails a requirement can't be submitted, and the applicant is told which one. If
a register doesn't answer, the application is accepted and marked `Not verified`. The
application's `Register` card shows each requirement as `Met`, `Not met` or `Not verified`. You need
permission to edit and publish the round to change its requirements.

## Change an application's eligibility

An application's `Eligibility` tab shows the screener answers, the score and who decided. From there,
or for several applications selected in a list with `Set eligibility`, you can `Mark eligible`,
`Mark ineligible` or `Request more information`. The applicant is not told until a decision reaches
them. Assessment rounds can leave ineligible applications out with `Exclude ineligible Application`.

## See also

- [An application](../applications/an-application.md)
- [Assessment rounds](../assessments/assessment-rounds.md)