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32.7 Medicare Beneficiaries Begin Dates 32.7.1 QMB Begin Dates For initial eligibility, QMB benefits begin on the first of the month after the month in which the person is determined to be eligible, and the case is confirmed in CARES. Example 1 Henry has been in the same nursing home since 2013. He applied for Medicaid on January 23, 2017, and also requested QMB. His application was processed and confirmed for both programs on January 23, 2017, and he was determined eligible for both. His Medicaid begin date is January 1, 2017. His QMB begin date is February 1, 2017. 32.7.2 SLMB, SLMB+, QDWI Begin Dates SLMB, SLMB+, and QDWI benefits begin the first day of the month in which the valid application is submitted and all eligibility requirements are met. Eligibility for these programs may be backdated to the first of the month, up to three calendar months prior to the month of application (see SECTION 32.8.2 SLMB, SLMB+, AND QDWI BACKDATING). This page last updated in Release Number: 25-04 Release Date: 12/10/2025 Effective Date: 12/10/2025 32.8 Medicare Beneficiaries Backdating 32.8.1 QMB Backdating Occasionally, the benefits of a person who is eligible for QMB do not correctly begin on the first of the following month. This can occur if: • The eligibility process was not completed within 30 days. • Certification of eligibility was not completed. • A fair hearing decision has ordered backdated QMB benefits. See Process Help Section 12.16.2.2 Request for Backdated Benefits for instructions for QMB backdating. For renewals, see MEH SECTION 32.10.1 QMB RENEWALS for information for QMB begin dates following a renewal. 32.8.2 SLMB, SLMB+, QDWI Backdating Benefits can be backdated for up to three months prior to the month of application, or within three months of a late renewal (see MEH SECTION 3.1.2 LATE RENEWALS). Use the backdating guidelines in SECTION 2.8.2 BACKDATED ELIGIBILITY. A person cannot receive backdated SLMB, SLMB+, or QDWI benefits for months in which he or she would have been income-eligible for QMB. Example 1 Henry applied for MSP on June 15. He also requested a three-month backdate. His income for June was under the QMB income limit (100% of the FPL). He was determined eligible for QMB for ongoing months. His backdated eligibility was denied because his income in each of the backdated months of March, April, and May was under the QMB income limit (100% of the FPL). Since he would have been QMB eligible in the backdate period, he cannot receive backdated SLMB or SLMB+ benefits.