1. How do I sign up for a FastPay account?

You must be an active faculty, staff, or student in order to create a FastPay account. You also must have a campus or Medical Center identification badge issued within the last 7 years. If so, you can sign up at http://www.freedompay.com/fastpay/.

2. How do I put money onto my account?

There are several ways you can add funds to your account:

- Bank account - You need to provide bank account information in your FastPay account and can add funds directly from your account whenever you want online. This method is the recommended way because it's fast and there are no additional fees.
- Credit or debit card - If you add and credit card in your FastPay account profile, you can add funds directly from that card. As of January 2010, you must use their Platinum Service to add funds with your credit or debit card. The Platinum Service is a $2.50 per month charge that is automatically deducted from your FreedomPay account.
- Cash - You can add cash at the FastPay funding station located in the Moffitt Cafe on the Parnassus campus. This is the only FastPay funding station we have at UCSF right now.

3. I don't want to pay any fees but want to use my credit or debit card to fund my account. What's the best option?

Unfortunately you will always be charged a fee to use your credit or debit card. However, you can sign up for the Platinum Service which charges you a flat $2.50 per month to add money from your credit or debit card. If you want to avoid any fees, you need to use your bank account or the funding station. If you do not use your account for a long period of time, you may also get charged an inactivity fee of $2 a month. If you are not going to be using your account, you should consider closing your account and opening a new one later.

4. I lost my ID badge. How do I cancel my account or it put it on hold?

You can call the Member Services center at 1-888-495-0222. They can cancel your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You also can login into your account at http://myfreedompay.com and inactivate your badge under the Manage Tags section of your account. When you get your new ID badge, you can add the new number to associate your account with your badge. If you run into trouble call the Member Services center.

5. I'm leaving UCSF and have money in my account. How do I get a refund?

Your FastPay account is with our service provider, FreedomPay - not UCSF. You can only close your account by calling FreedomPay at 888-495-0222. It is a relatively quick process and they can deposit your balance into the bank account online or send you a check.

6. Why should I sign up for a FastPay account?

It's free (mostly - see above to avoid fees in #3), fast, and convenient. You usually have your ID badge but may not always have cash or a credit card with you.

7. Where is FastPay accepted?

FastPay is currently accepted at approximately 23 different retail outlets. For a complete list of vendors, go to our merchants listing. FastPay is available at the Parnassus, Mount Zion, Mission Bay, Mission Center, and Laurel Heights campuses. Almost every single food vendor at UCSF accepts FastPay as a way to pay for your food.

8. How long does it take to set up a FastPay account?

If you have a valid ID badge, your account is active immediately. If you just got a brand new ID badge, you might need to wait 24 hours. Our system provides new valid ID numbers to our FastPay vendor at the end of every day. Once they have the number, you can activate your account or add the new badge number.

9. I have a blue FastPay card. Can I add money to it?

No. These cards are funded with department funds for residents, fellows, social work clients, and other types of meal programs.

10. How do I know how much money is on my blue FastPay card?

A balance reader is located in the Moffitt Cafe right by the vending room on top of the FastPay funding station. You can get a balance there. A balance also appears on the receipt of any purchase in the Moffitt Cafe, Moffitt Cafe Express, and 920 Express purchase. You also can go online to https://my.freedompay.com/MemberServices/BalanceCheck.aspx to get a balance. This online balance option is only for blue FastPay cards.

11. I lost my blue FastPay card. How do I get a new one?

Contact your resident meal program coordinator within your department. This person is likely to be the person who issued you the card initially.

12. Does using FastPay provide a discount?

Generally there are no discounts for using FastPay at most merchants. The Moffitt Cafe, Moffitt Cafe Express, and 920 Express does provide a 10% discount on most items if you use FastPay.

13. I am going on leave (e.g. maternity leave, sabbactical, etc.) from UCSF. Should I close my account?

You do not need to close your account. You should contact FreedomPay at 888-495-0222 or via e-mail at memberservices@freedompay.com to let them know when you are going on leave. If you do not contact them, you will be charged a $2 monthly fee after 120 days of non-use. To reactivate your account, contact FreedomPay as above and they will reactive your account.

14. I normally fund my account with cash or via bank account. I used my credit/debit card at a funding station and was charged a fee. Why?

The terms and conditions of the account include the $2 Platinum Service fee for the month when you used the credit or debit card. If you continue to fund your account with cash or a bank account, this fee will be for the instance when you used the credit or debit card and the fee should not continue.

Last updated: September 9, 2014