The earliest possible disability onset date under the MQGE provisions is 1/1 /83 based
on Federal employment and 4/1/86 based on State and local employment. This does not
mean that the disability must actually have begun on or after those dates. However,
if a worker or surviving spouse were disabled prior to that date, the onset date shown
on the award would be the effective date of the provision even though the individual
need only be insured through the date of actual onset. The first possible month in
the 5-month waiting period is the first possible month of coverage (i.e., 1/83 in
the case of Federal employment, and 4/86 in the case of State and local government
employment). Thus, unless an individual had previously been entitled to title II disability
benefits within the limits specified in 2. above, HI entitlement based on GEQC's may
not begin any earlier than 6/85 (Federal) or 9/88 (State or local).
In the case of a DAC, since there is no cash benefit waiting period, the 24-month
Medicare qualifying period can begin immediately and Medicare can begin as early as
1/85 (Federal) or 4/88 (State or local).