To help our community during this public health crisis, The Actors Fund has partnered with other entertainment industry organizations to provide emergency financial assistance to those in immediate financial need. Funds are available to union and non-union workers in entertainment and the performing arts. Remember, you may be eligible for more than one fund.
Please know that we are experiencing an extremely high volume of requests and ask for your patience during this time. It is taking approximately two weeks to process an application.
For information on unemployment resources, visit our COVID-19 Unemployment Resources page.
THREE STEPS TO APPLY
1. CONFIRM YOUR FINANCIAL NEED
Emergency financial assistance is available for people who are unable to pay basic living expenses (food/housing/health care) for the next two months. If you have the resources to pay your essential bills during that period, please wait to apply. You will be asked to submit your most recent checking and savings statements.
2. REVIEW YOUR ELIGIBILITY
Check the requirements below for all unions, guilds or employers that apply to you. Union and non-union workers may apply directly to The Actors Fund. Please note this is a one-time grant only. Exception: thanks to funding from IATSE International, IATSE members may apply for a second grant 45 days after the first grant is received. Please go to the "IATSE, All Locals (2nd Grant)" section to access the Second Grant application.
3. PREPARE YOUR DOCUMENTATION
Before starting to fill out the online application, please collect and digitize all required documentation. Applications without proper documentation will not be processed and you will not be notified. Please note this is a one-time grant only.
Eligibility and documentation:
The Actors Fund helps everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment including theater, film, television, music and dance. Those who work on stage, on camera or behind the scenes are encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years. Income from teaching does not qualify. Dancers, comedians and comedy professionals must document three years of recent earnings of at least $2,000 a year.
Required documentation:
- Five years of earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. Do not include income tax forms without W-2's .
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years. Income from teaching does not qualify.
Eligibility and documentation:
Feed The Queens is providing food grants of $100 to queens across the country who perform in front of live audiences and have been affected by COVID-19-related work losses.
- Must be a U.S. resident.
- Provide a government-issued photo ID
- Upload or submit 3 types of verification of live performances and drag persona. This helps us to confirm that you were a working drag performer prior to the shutdowns. These verifications can be a combination of: online links to your drag performances from different dates, actual video of your performance (not to exceed 4 mins), club or event flyers featuring your name or photo, a copy of letter from promoter or bar manager verifying you performed at venue, a link to your website etc.
- Feed The Queens understands that Queens of Color have been disproportionately affected by the current economic crisis. We want you to know that we are here for you and we hope you will both apply for one of these grants and explore other services at The Actors Fund to see if they can provide any additional kinds of support.
Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF), Women In Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA), and New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) are offering emergency relief grants of $1,000 to members working in the entertainment industries of California, Georgia and New York.
Eligibility and documentation:
- Verified 2020 Membership in Women In Film Los Angeles, Women In Film and Television Atlanta, or New York Women in Film & Television. If your membership to WIF, NYWIFT or WIFTA was current at any point in 2020, even if it is now expired, you are eligible for the fund.
- Please verify membership by providing a screenshot or PDF of either (1) an email confirming your membership registration or renewal with WIF, NYWIFT or WIFTA; OR (for WIF and NYWIFT members only), (2) a screenshot of your member portal account summary showing your current term of membership.
- Recent checking and savings bank statements, including name, address and balance totals.
- A form of identification such as a current photo ID, lease, rent or mortgage statement, or household bill with your name and address.
- Contact information of grant recipients will be disclosed to the funder.
Eligibility and documentation:
- Letter or email from last industry supervisor in Southern California, including name of applicant, job title and end date of employment. (See pdf below for a list of HSSRF approved position titles).
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Documentation of a minimum of $6,500 in earnings for three out of the last five years. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, contracts, W-2 or 1099 forms.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- IATSE members can apply for a second grant 45 days after receiving the first grant. Second time applicants do not need to submit earnings again, just the application and bank statements.
- IATSE members can apply for a second grant 45 days after receiving the first grant.
- Second time applicants do not need to submit earnings again, just the application and bank statements.
Eligibility and documentation:
IATSE Local-52 members who are paid up are eligible for a one-time grant up to $1,000 from the IATSE Local-52 Emergency Assistance Fund.
Documentation required:
- Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Demonstrated financial need as shown by a current checking and savings bank statement (including name, address and balance totals).
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement or other household bills (including name and address).
IATSE Local-52 membership applicants with over $78,000 in annual earnings in Local 52’s jurisdiction in 2018 and 2019 are eligible for a one-time grant of up to $1,000 from The Actors Fund.
Documentation Required:
- Membership applicants eligibility will be verified by The Actor’s Fund directly with Local 52.
- Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. Please do not submit tax returns without W2 forms.
- Demonstrated financial need as shown by a current checking and savings bank statement (including name, address and balance totals)
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement or other household bills (including name and address).
To determine eligibility for additional funds, please see The Actors Fund eligibility section.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years.
- IATSE Local 600 members can apply for a second grant 45 days after receiving the first grant.
- Second time applicants do not need to submit earnings again, just the application, bank statements and current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date. To request verification, send an email to: iatse798@local798.net. Please include your name, email address and phone number.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years.
- IATSE Local 798 members can apply for a second grant 45 days after receiving the first grant.
- Second time applicants do not need to submit earnings again, just the application, bank statements and current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
Eligibility and documentation:
- Proof of employment with Jujamcyn Theatre for the most recent six months period.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- Local 802 members must provide proof of work cancellation.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years. Income from teaching does not qualify.
Eligibility and documentation:
- PGA members must confirm eligibility by obtaining a membership verification letter from the Guild verifying membership ID number before completing the application. Please send your request to: info@producersguild.org.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a currently active SAG-AFTRA member and paid-up on dues through October 2019 to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statements, including name, address and balance totals.
- Current lease, rent or mortgage statement. If none of these are available, another household bill with your name and address.
- Please note: Suspended Payment, Terminated, and Fee-Paying-Non-Member (Ficore) are NOT ELIGIBLE to receive assistance from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.
- To obtain your SAG-AFTRA earnings, log onto the SAG Producers Pension site.
- Go to: Earnings History-->View-->Your Earnings History. Select total earnings by year, not by job. You may provide a screenshot of this information.
- To determine your eligibility for funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for The Actors Fund, you must have entertainment industry earnings over $6,500 for three out of the last five years. Income from teaching does not qualify.