..you dont need to cash it in as long as you can show that you've got it...good luck
No, that's not at all correct.

If anyone has an intention to rely on cash savings, then it MUST be held in CASH in a personal bank account in the name of the applicant, their partner or the couple jointly.
The savings can be from any legal source, including a gift from a family member or other third party, provided the source of the cash savings is declared.
Cash savings MUST also be in an account that allows the savings to be accessed immediately with or without penalty.
The applicant and/or their partner must confirm that the money, which cannot be borrowed, is under their control and evidence that it has been held in their bank account for at least 6 months prior to the date of application.
Period.

Where the applicant and/or their partner is in receipt of income from assets such as property, dividends, investments, stocks and shares, bonds, trust funds, savings etc then this may be used under the category of non-employment income.
This source may be combined with income from salaried employment, cash savings and pension in order to meet the financial requirement.

To evidence dividends or other income from investments, stocks, shares, bonds or trust funds you need to evidence:-
- A certificate showing proof of ownership and the amount(s) of any investment(s).
- A portfolio report (for a financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK).
- Personal bank statements for the 12-month period prior to the date of application showing that the income relied upon was paid into an account in the name of the person or of the person and their partner jointly.

To evidence interest from savings:-
- Personal bank statements for the 12-month period prior to the date of application showing the amount of the savings held and that the interest was paid into an account in the name of the person or of the person and their partner jointly.

Cash savings are NOT able to be combined with part (2) of Category B, salaried employment

Equity in property may also NOT be used