Frequently Asked Questions

Do I establish an account for every HCA child in my family?

Each family will establish a family account from which all the children in one family access funds. To open an account, consider placing a minimum of $25 per child in the account.

May I use a debit card instead of a credit card?

Yes, you may use a debit card (MasterCard or Visa) or credit card (MasterCard or Visa). No other cards or forms of payment are accepted.

What happens if my account runs out of funds? Will my child receive lunch?

The payor of each account may elect to receive a notice via e-mail when their account reaches $10. You should immediately place more funds in the account when it reaches this point as the account will not last long (especially with multiple children on the account). In case the account does run out of funds, your child may still purchase food which is comprised of a complete hot lunch with beverage, but no snacks, seconds, etc. Students with negative balances will be able to purchase these lunches for up to five school days. At that point, students will not be able to purchase lunches.

Will students be able to purchase “seconds” with this system?

Students will be able to purchase “seconds” and other food items by going to the lunch cashier. All purchases will be recorded on the account.

What happens if I have money left in my account by the end of the school year?

Families who have funds left over in their accounts will be credited in their account for the next school year. Families who have funds left over and are not returning the next school year will have their monies refunded after the school year is closed.

How do I start an account if I don’t have access to the internet from home?

Any computer with access to the internet may be used to establish and maintain the CAFÉ-PASS account. For example, most public libraries have internet accessible computers available for use. In addition, parents will be able to use HCA’s computer lab from 3:00-3:30 on selected days for this purpose.

What happens if my child loses the card?

If a card is lost, it cannot be used any place other than the HCA lunch program. Our cafeteria cashier knows the students, so another child using the wrong card is very unlikely. To replace the card, a $5 charge will be incurred on your account.

How can this card be used if it is lost?

The swipe card cannot be used for anything other than use in the HCA lunchroom. The barcode imprinted on the swipe card is used only in the lunch program and is useless and meaningless if applied to anything but the HCA lunch program.

Can I use cash if I choose not to enroll in this program?

With the implementation of this program, cash is no longer accepted for any purchases made by students.

Why doesn't my payment immediately show up on my statement?

If you receive a confirmation when you make your payment, you can rest assured that your payment was accepted.  However, payments are "batched" in a queue and then updated periodically to your Food Service account throughout the day.  You will not see your payment appear on your account, until this batch operation is done.  Batch updates are only performed on school days at an interval of no less than every 24 hours, frequently more.  If you make a payment on the weekend or a holiday, it make take 48-72 hours before that payment is reflected on your balance sheet.

Why am I unable to access financial account information in FAMILY ACCESS?

To view financial data and make payments in FAMILY ACCESS, you must be the "payor" on the account.  There can only be one payor for a family.  By default, the payor is normally the principle guardian of the family.   If you are not the payor for your family, this information will be hidden from you.

How can I become the Payor on the account?

To become a payor, the "current" payor of the account must submit a request that the payor be changed to an individual to be named by the current payor.  This request must originate from the email address on file for the "current" payor.

I never received credentials to establish my account.  What should I do?