IF YOU HAVE MONEY CAN YOU STILL GET SSDI BENEFITS?

Yes, individuals who have money, even wealth, may still qualify for disability benefits.  There is no financial test for SSDI.

SSDI is a government sponsored disability insurance plan.  You paid into this insurance plan by payroll deduction out of every paycheck. If you become disabled, the fact that you have savings or money set aside does not restrict the ability to get benefits--any more than having money in the bank would prevent you from collecting on your car insurance if you have an accident.  How much money you have has nothing to do with it.

There are two things that cause confusion on this, and I want to discuss them briefly:

First, you can't be working, earning a substantial paycheck, and qualify for SSDI benefits at the same time.  Obviously, if you are working you are not unable to work.  Social Security allows a little part-time work without making you ineligible for SSDI but they set limits.  The limit in 2020 is earnings of at least $1,260 per month.  But this limit refers to earnings or work limits, not how much money you have.

Second, the Social Security Administration manages a type of welfare program called Supplemental Security Income or SSI.  This program is based on financial need and it does have very strict income and asset restrictions.  SSI is designed for persons who need financial assistance to meet the basic necessities of life.  It is a completely different program from SSDI, although the two are often confused because they both run through the Social Security office.

Summary:  If you have worked enough in the past to be covered for SSDI, there is no income or financial limitation for getting SSDI benefits under Title 2.  SSDI is not just for the needy.  All you need to prove is that you're disabled.

Again, think about it this way. You purchased a homeowners policy on your home to protect against certain disasters like fire, wind or storm damage.  Your home is destroyed in a fire.  The insurance company is not going to ask if you really need them to pay off on your policy, right?  They have an obligation to pay if you have a loss that is covered by your policy.  Social Security isn't going to ask if you really need the money when you file an SSDI claim.  (They will ask, however, if you file an SSI claim, which is a very different program, based on financial need).

SSDI - has only a medical requirement.  You must be disabled to get a benefit.

SSI - has both a medical requirement and financial restrictions.  You must be disabled or elderly and also have a financial need.