Referral and Authorisation Codes

Some food banks require an authorisation code from a referrer before you can register. This page explains what referrers are, how to get a code, and what happens when you use one.

Overview

Many food banks operate on a referral basis. To accommodate this, HelpingHand allows referrals from approved organisations. Your referrer will give you an 8-digit authorisation code, which you enter during registration to gain access.

Not all food banks require an authorisation code. If your food bank allows open registration, you will not see the authorisation code field on the registration page.

Key Concepts

• Referrer -- an approved organisation (such as a community agency, social service, or charity) that refers people to the food bank.
• Referrer Contact -- a staff member at the referrer organisation who works directly with you. Some codes are tied to a specific referrer contact.
• Authorisation code -- an 8-digit code that your referrer gives to you. It grants you access to register. It is unique and can only be used once.
• Customer group -- when you register with an auth code, your account may be assigned to a specific customer group. This can affect the items or services available to you.

How It Works

Getting an authorisation code

1. Contact a referrer organisation in your area. This could be a social service agency, a community group, a church, or another approved partner.
2. The referrer (or a referrer contact at that organisation) will generate a unique 8-digit authorisation code for you.
3. The referrer gives you the code, usually in person or by message.
4. You use this code once, during registration.

Using the code during registration

1. Go to the registration page.
2. At the top of the form you will see a field labelled Referrer authorisation code. Next to it is an information box explaining what the code is and how to get one.
3. Enter your 8-digit code.
4. Fill in the rest of the registration form (name, email, address, and so on).
5. Submit the form.

What happens when the code is validated

When you submit the registration form, the system checks your authorisation code:

• Valid code -- your account is created and you can access the food bank's shop. Your account is associated with the referrer organisation that issued the code, and you may be assigned to a customer group that determines which items or order limits apply to you.
• Invalid code -- the form shows an error message. You have a limited number of attempts (3) before a temporary lockout. After 3 failed attempts, you must wait 15 minutes before trying again. This protects the system from misuse.
• Already used code -- each code can only be used once. If someone has already registered with the code, it will be treated as invalid.

What the referral means for your account

Once registered with a valid code:

• You have full access to the food bank's shop and can place orders.
• Your account is associated with the referrer organisation for the food bank's records.
• You may be placed in a specific customer group that affects your ordering options.
• Your referrer details are visible on your account but cannot be changed by you. If you need to update your referrer, contact the food bank directly.

Common Tasks

Finding a referrer in your area

If you need an authorisation code but do not have one, contact the food bank directly. They can point you to approved referrer organisations near you. Common referrer types include:

• Social service agencies.
• Community and neighbourhood groups.
• Churches and faith-based organisations.
• Health providers and support services.

Entering the code correctly

• The code is exactly 8 characters long.
• Type or paste it carefully. Spaces and dashes are not part of the code.
• If you receive an error, double-check the code with your referrer before trying again.

What to do if your code does not work

1. Verify that you have typed the code correctly.
2. Check with your referrer that the code has not already been used by someone else.
3. If you have been locked out after 3 failed attempts, wait 15 minutes and try again.
4. If the problem persists, ask your referrer to generate a new code for you.

FAQ

Do all food banks require an authorisation code? No. Some food banks allow anyone to register without a code. If the registration page does not show an authorisation code field, you do not need one.

Can I register without a code if one is required? No. If the food bank requires an authorisation code, you must have a valid code to complete registration.

Can I reuse my code for another account? No. Each authorisation code can only be used once.

What if I was locked out after entering the wrong code? Wait 15 minutes and try again. If you are still unable to register, contact your referrer for a new code.

Can I change my referrer after registering? No. Your referrer is set during registration and cannot be changed from your profile. Contact the food bank if you need to update this.

Does my referrer see my orders? Your referrer and referrer contact may have access to certain information about your account as part of their support role. Contact the food bank for details about their privacy practices.