Notional capital

The amount of means-tested benefits you receive can depend on your capital. 

In some situations, you may be treated as having capital even if you don't have it. This is known as notional capital. 

Capital includes any financial assets you own, such as savings, investments, property (other than your home), or lump-sum payments. 

You may be treated as having notional capital if you have deliberately got rid of capital so that you qualify for benefits or to increase your entitlement to them.