173-6-03. Golden buckeye program: enrollment process for persons sixty years of age or older  


Latest version.
  • (A) Automatic enrollment: if the bureau of motor vehicles informs ODA an Ohio resident is sixty years of age or older, ODA may automatically enroll the person into the golden buckeye program.

    (B) Manual enrollment:

    (1) If ODA did not automatically enroll an Ohio resident who is sixty years of age or older, and the person wants to enroll in the golden buckeye program, the person shall visit a sign-up site to apply in person. Sign-up sites include most Ohio senior centers and libraries.

    (2) To apply, the person shall do the following:

    (a) Obtain an application from a sign-up site.

    (b) Return the signed, completed application to the sign-up site.

    (c) Provide the sign-up site with documentation verifying the applicant is at least sixty years of age and a resident of Ohio (e.g., driver's license, state identification card).

    (3) After a sign-up site receives an application, it shall do the following:

    (a) The sign-up site shall verify the person completed and signed the application.

    (b) The sign-up site shall verify the person is sixty years of age or older and a resident of Ohio by documenting the source of information (e.g., driver's license, state identification card).

    (c) The sign-up site shall identify itself on the application.

    (d) On the application, the sign-up site shall write the initials of the staff person at the sign-up site who processed the application.

    (e) The sign-up site shall mail, email, or fax the completed application to the processing location listed on the application. The sign-up site shall do so in less than one week after it receives the application.

    (4) After ODA receives an application from a sign-up site, it shall do the following:

    (a) ODA shall verify the sign-up site complied with paragraph (B)(3) of this rule.

    (b) ODA shall issue a golden buckeye card to the eligible person.

    (5) Signature:

    (a) After a person is issued a golden buckeye card, the cardholder shall sign the card. No card is valid until the cardholder signs it.

    (b) After the cardholder signs his or her golden buckeye card, the card remains valid for the remaining life of the cardholder, unless ODA revokes the card due to a fraudulent application or fraudulent use of the card, or the program is discontinued.

    (6) Transferability: A cardholder shall not transfer a golden buckeye card to any other person.

    (7) Replacement card: If a golden buckeye card is lost, stolen, or damaged, a cardholder who is sixty years of age or older may contact ODA to request a replacement card.

Replaces: 173-6-03


Effective: 1/1/2017
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 01/01/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 173.01, 173.02, 173.06
Rule Amplifies: 173.06
Prior Effective Dates: 07/03/1980, 12/30/1995, 01/12/2001, 09/12/2002 (Emer.), 12/11/2002, 07/01/2007, 03/24/2011