5 Things the Golden Buckeye Card Gets Ohioans 60 and Older
Most people don’t think to ask for a discount on valet parking or a plumbing visit.
But the Ohio Department of Aging’s directories list businesses that honor the Golden Buckeye Card, and your county’s list may include services like these.
Here’s what the Golden Buckeye Card gets Ohioans 60 and older.
Note: This is general information, not financial advice. Discounts and eligibility rules are subject to change, so confirm the current details with the Ohio Department of Aging.
1. Free Exams and Assessments
Businesses that honor the Golden Buckeye Card can offer discounts, waived fees, and free products or services.
The examples in sections 1 through 3 come from the department’s Franklin County and Butler County directories, so businesses near you may differ.
In the department’s Franklin County directory, Groveport Eye Care lists 30% off services, glasses and exams, plus a free eye exam for patients with Medicare insurance.
Hilltop Chiropractic Center pairs 10% off with a free spinal exam, and Dublin Veterinary Clinic includes a free first exam for your pet.
Village Caregiving in Columbus offers a free nursing assessment and 10% off the first month of services.
2. Museum and Pool Savings
Golden Buckeye Card holders can pay less for admission or memberships at some museums and pools.
Hanby House in Westerville has 20% off admissions, and Aquatic Adventures in Columbus has 10% off swim memberships.
Franklin Park Conservatory has 10% off gifts.
Check your county’s directory before you pay full price for a ticket or a membership.
The directory listings are self-reported by the businesses, so confirm a discount before you count on it.
3. Everyday Service Discounts
With the Golden Buckeye Card, you can find discounts on services you already pay for, such as parking and vet care.
Ohio State’s medical center offers 20% off valet parking, and the university’s veterinary medical center offers 5% off veterinary services.
Ohio State’s School of Cosmetology in Canal Winchester gives 20% off Monday through Friday.
Butler County’s directory adds Pembroke Plumbing at $25 or 5% off, whichever is greater, and West Chester Family Dentistry at 15% off.
Firestone Complete Auto Care locations in Hamilton and West Chester take 10% off service and 15% off tires.
Psst! How much do you know about Ohio’s programs for older adults? Take our quiz and see how many you can get right.
Quiz
Ohio Senior Benefits IQ
Answer these questions on programs for older Ohioans. We bet you can’t get them all right. Prove us wrong?
Roughly how many Ohioans are eligible for a Golden Buckeye Card?
4. Half-Price Weekday Camping
Sunday through Thursday, Golden Buckeye Card holders who live in Ohio pay half the camping fee at an Ohio state park.
The discount covers only the one site you occupy, and the reservation has to show you as the occupant.
5. 10% off Weekend Camping and Rentals
Weekend camping gets a smaller cut from the Golden Buckeye Card: 10% off at Ohio state parks on Fridays and Saturdays.
The same 10% applies to other overnight and day-use rentals, such as shelter houses.
Golden Buckeye discounts can't be combined with other discounts or promotions unless Ohio State Parks approves it.
The exception is the Ohio State Parks Reward Card, which you can use with any discount to earn points for the stay or redeem points.
What Golden Buckeye Camping Discounts Require
A valid Golden Buckeye Card number has to go on your reservation when you book.
Without a card number, you pay the full rate.
You can add the number later by changing your reservation online or through the call center, up until your arrival date.
At check-in, the cardholder has to be there and show the card.
Who Gets Golden Buckeye Card Benefits
Golden Buckeye Card benefits are open to Ohioans 60 and older.
Ohio residents ages 18 to 59 with a disability, as Social Security defines it, qualify too.
Your card is non-transferable, and Ohio's rules bar you from letting anyone else use it.
Some merchants may ask for another form of ID when you present the card.
The program doesn't track your shopping habits.
Where to Use the Golden Buckeye Card
Businesses choose whether to honor the Golden Buckeye Card, set the savings they offer, and pay no fee to join.
You can browse the department's directories by region and county, and online-only businesses have a separate list.
Not every business posts a logo, so ask even when you don't see one.
For grocery savings, see our posts on Giant Eagle perks and Kroger perks for older shoppers.
What the Card Can't Guarantee
Ohio law doesn't require any business to give a Golden Buckeye Card holder a discount.
Because each business decides whether to join, a card that works at one store may not work at the next.
Businesses can change their participation at any time, so a discount you used last year may have changed.
The department invites you to follow its Golden Buckeye Program page on Facebook for shopping tips and consumer alerts.
How to Get a Golden Buckeye Card
Getting a Golden Buckeye Card takes an application now because Ohio no longer mails one to everyone who turns 60.
If you're 60 or older, you can apply online or at a sign-up site.
Most public libraries and senior centers are sign-up sites.
Bring your Ohio driver license or state ID card.
Call ahead before you go to make sure the site is open and has applications on hand.
If you're 18 to 59 with a disability, you have to apply in person and bring your ID plus proof of disability.
Expect a new or replacement card in the mail within four weeks.
If you're 60 or older and your card is lost, stolen or damaged, or the name on it is wrong, you can use the same online form.
Sign the card when it arrives because no card is valid until the cardholder signs it.
Ohio law has the Ohio Department of Aging pay all costs of the program, and a local library's sign-up page calls participation free.
The department's customer service line is 1-800-422-1976.
FAQ
Quick answers about Golden Buckeye Card benefits.
Is the Golden Buckeye Card free?
Yes. Ohio law has the Ohio Department of Aging cover the costs of the program, and a local library's sign-up page describes participation as free.
Who qualifies for a Golden Buckeye Card?
Ohioans 60 and older qualify, and so do Ohio residents ages 18 to 59 with a disability as Social Security defines it.
Does Ohio still mail the Golden Buckeye Card when you turn 60?
No. The Ohio Department of Aging says cards are no longer mailed to all Ohioans at 60. You apply online or at a sign-up site, such as a library or senior center.
Is there a digital Golden Buckeye Card?
Ohio law says the card may be physical or electronic. The Department of Aging's application page describes a card it mails within four weeks, so call 1-800-422-1976 to ask about a digital option.
How much does the Golden Buckeye Card save on camping?
Ohio State Parks lists 50% off camping fees Sunday through Thursday.
Fridays and Saturdays get 10% off.
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