Rule 173-6-03 | Golden buckeye program: enrollment process for persons sixty years of age or older.
(A) Automatic enrollment:
(1) AGE may automatically enroll an Ohio resident who is sixty years of age or older into the golden buckeye program.
(2) If an automatically-enrolled person wants a card, the person may apply for the card on https://aging.ohio.gov/getgbc.
(B) Requested enrollment:
(1) If AGE 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 apply on https://aging.ohio.gov/getgbc or apply at a sign-up site. Sign-up sites include most Ohio senior centers and libraries.
(2) To apply at a sign-up site, 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 evidence that 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 all of the following:
(a) The sign-up site shall verify the that person completed and signed the application.
(b) The sign-up site shall verify that the person is sixty years of age or older and a resident of Ohio by indicating the source of evidence (e.g., driver's license, state identification card) on the application.
(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 or email 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 AGE receives an application from a sign-up site, it shall do the following:
(a) AGE shall verify that the sign-up site complied with paragraph (B)(3) of this rule.
(b) AGE shall issue a card to the eligible person.
(C) Card validation:
(1) After a person is issued a card, the cardholder shall sign the card. No card is valid until the cardholder signs it.
(2) After the cardholder signs his or her card, it remains valid for the remaining life of the cardholder, unless AGE revokes the card due to a fraudulent application or fraudulent use of the card, or the program is discontinued.
(D) Transferability: Pursuant to section 173.06 of the Revised Code, a cardholder shall not transfer a card to any other person or allow any other person to use a card issued to a cardholder.
(E) Replacement card: If a card is lost, stolen, or damaged, a cardholder who is sixty years of age or older may contact AGE to request a replacement card.
Last updated October 1, 2026 at 8:41 AM
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