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). If your liquid assets exceed $15,000 for individuals/couples and $30,000 for families 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.
You may be eligible for additional grants from The Actors Fund 45 days after receipt of your initial grant, based on eligibility. Please carefully review the information and requirements below.
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.
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 (2015-2020). 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.
You may be apply for one additional grant 45 days after receiving your first grant by completing an application and providing all requested documentation.
Required documentation:
- Three years of earnings over the past five years. 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.
The Feed the Queens Fund has distributed all of its funds. It is no longer able to accept applications as of December 3. Please check The Actors Fund eligibility for assistance (see above) or our LGBTQIA+ resource page for additional support.
The Women in Film Fund has distributed all of its funds and is no longer accepting applications. Please check The Actors Fund eligibility (see above) for additional support and assistance.
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:
- You must be a regular or substitute employee in good standing who has worked in at least six weeks in the first twelve weeks of 2020
- 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 additional funding through 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 is no longer accepting applications. Please check The Actors Fund eligibility (see above) for additional support and assistance.
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.
The Places Please Project offers financial assistance to NYC theater workers who left New York during the pandemic and now need to return so they can go back to work. Priority will be given to those who can provide theater employment contracts.
Eligibility and documentation:
- You must be a NYC theater worker who left New York during COVID and is now returning to NYC for theater-related employment.
- You must be willing to review your housing plan with an assigned Actors Fund staff person.
- Provide documentation of upcoming theater employment such as contracts or offer letters, if applicable.
- Document theater-related earnings of over $6,500 for three out of the last five years. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. Do not include income tax forms without W-2s. Income from teaching does not qualify.
- Most recent checking and savings bank statement, including name, address and balance totals.
- Proof of current housing outside of New York, such as current bill that includes name and location, or a letter from landlord.
- Documents of one year of NYC rent payments for 2019 or 2020 and/or copy of lease termination.
- To determine your eligibility for additional funding through The Actors Fund, please include five years (2015-2019) of entertainment industry earnings. Accepted forms of earnings documentation include Union Pension and Health statements, W-2 or 1099 forms. To be eligible for Actors Fund financial assistance, 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.