Check the Husky Card Office Operations Updates page for the most current information regarding operating hours, location, and adjusted card services.
Eligibility
All UW employees who are active in Workday are eligible for a Husky Card. New employees generally do not become eligible until their official start date.
Please note, eligibility for a Husky Card does not necessarily indicate eligibility for a U-PASS. For more information about the conditions of and eligibility for the subsidized benefit, see Human Resource's website.
New employees
Employees obtaining a Husky Card will need to bring their UW employee ID (EID) number and their U.S. state- or federally-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport) with them to an ID Location. The Husky Card system is not updated in real time and requires a nightly feed from the Workday system. Changes made in Workday will take until the following business day to upload to our card database. In order to prevent a potentially unnecessary trip to our office, please call us at 206-543-7222 or email huskycrd@uw.edu with your EID number and we can verify your eligibility in advance.
Taking care of your card
It is important for cardholders to take proper care of their new Husky Card. Do not bend or punch a hole anywhere on your card, and keep it away from all magnets, cell phones and wireless chargers. A thin wire antenna embedded in the Husky Card assists the smart chip in communicating with ORCA card readers. Keeping your Husky Card in a protective cover is the best way to ensure a long, functional life. Cardholders will be charged a fee for replacement of a damaged Husky Card.
Replacing your Husky Card and U-PASS
Replacements due to loss, theft, damage, name or photo changes are subject to a $25 replacement fee. To replace your Husky Card, visit an ID Center location. You may be required to show your legal photo identification to obtain a replacement card. Once a new card is printed it will permanently deactivate the previous one. We recommend checking with the specific ID office for their accepted payment methods. If you are a U-PASS subscriber there is no additional charge to replace the U-PASS, however because the ORCA card readers do not update immediately with new card information, you will not be able to use the U-PASS for transit for 12–24 hours after replacing your Husky Card. Visit UW Transportation Services for more information on the U-PASS. You may also request a replacement card to be sent by mail. See our Operations Updates page for more information.
Activating your U-PASS
You can activate your U-PASS powered by ORCA after you have obtained your Husky Card. Sign up for the U-PASS online or visit Transportation Services to enroll.
Privacy issues
There will be no personal identification information stored on the smart chip. The RFID chip will be used to validate that the cardholder has access to U-PASS transit privileges. All information associated with the card and access rights is kept in accordance with the UW policy on personally identifiable information. For information regarding the privacy of transit data, please see the U-PASS Terms of Use.
Husky Card Account payroll deduction
Permanent staff or faculty may arrange to have a portion of each paycheck automatically deposited into their Husky Card Account. Payroll deductions must be a minimum of $10 per pay period, and amounts must be in increments of $5. The maximum balance you may carry on your Husky Card Account is $2,500. These funds are not able to be used for transit on the bus systems. The funds are intended for a convenient account to spend on our campus.
Important note: Payroll deductions are not tax deductible and are taken out of paychecks post-tax. Multiple refund requests on excess balances may not be approved, so make sure to periodically review your spending needs and modify your deduction amount if needed.
Sign up by logging in to the Online Card Office and selecting the link UW Employee Automatic Deduction. Alternatively you may also sign up using a downloadable Payroll Deduction Authorization form which can be mailed to UW Box 353085. If you arrange for payroll deduction, the deduction will occur on payday and will be noted on your pay stub. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us at 206-543-7222.
You may cancel or change your payroll deduction if you notify us at least 10 days before the next payday. You must notify us in writing by completing a Payroll Deduction Authorization form or submitting your request through the Online Card Office form. Changes or cancellations received less than 10 days before the next payday will not take effect until the following payday.