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.
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.
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.
The Actors Fund
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 must document three years of recent dance 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.
- 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.
Actors' Equity Association Curtain Up Fund
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.
American Guild of Musical Artists Relief Fund
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.
Hollywood Support Staff Relief Fund (HSSRF)
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 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.
IATSE, All Locals
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a paid-up member to be eligible. Current membership card or confirmation by union including end date.
- Five years of earnings. 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.
- 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 Hardship Fund
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 798
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.
Jujamcyn Theatre Assistance Fund
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.
Local USA 829 IATSE COVID-19 Relief Fund
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.
Musicians Union Local 802
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.
Producers Guild of America Members Relief Fund
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.
SAG-AFTRA
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.
- Five years (2015-2019) entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include: Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms.
- 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 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.