1 Don't respond to unwanted calls, the FTC says --even if the call says you should press a number to opt-out of future messages. 2  All that will do is verify to the spammer or scammer that your number is real. 3  Similarly, don't respond to unwanted text messages--or click on any links.
(This maximum gets you to 12 months before your application date, plus five months for the waiting period, so your earliest your effective onset date can be is 17 months before the application date.) In this case, the earliest that you can become eligible for Medicare is one year after you apply for Social Security disability.
Retroactive benefits generally may not be collected for more than 12 months. If you add this year of retroactive benefits to the five-month wait period, the farthest back that Social Security will recognize a disability onset date is 17 months before the application date (12 + 5 = 17).