FILM INDUSTRY EMERGENCY RESOURCES
Film Industry Emergency Resources
The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) offers a variety of services that can provide emotional and financial relief to industry members and their families during times of need, whether the hardship is personal or the result of an entertainment industry-wide event.
The Entertainment Community Fund’s free and confidential social service programs address a wide array of challenges faced by people in performing arts and entertainment. Emergency financial assistance is available for people who are unable to pay their immediate basic living expenses (housing, food, utility bills, or health care). Their professional social workers offer support, counseling and practical help.
The Casting Society Emergency Assistance Fund provides confidential and immediate short-term financial assistance for Casting Society members who are in need of urgent help and are unable to pay basic living expenses (i.e. food, housing, utilities, health care, transportation).
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation offers several Emergency Financial Assistance Programs to eligible, dues-paying SAG-AFTRA members who are in urgent financial need due to an unexpected life crisis, such as a natural disaster, accident, health crisis creating a financial burden, loss of work due to an illness, loss of work due to a strike or production shut down, loss of housing due to an eviction, death in the family, or other emergency crisis situations described in IRS guidelines which pertain to providing emergency financial assistance grants to individuals.
Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals who meet state eligibility requirements. Unemployment Insurance benefits are financed through employer payroll taxes; they are not deducted from employee paychecks.
The Union Solidarity Coalition was founded by writers and directors who were moved to connect with crew affected by the 2023 WGA strike. They offer direct financial support to crew members who have lost health insurance due to strike-related shutdowns.
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund provides support and temporary financial assistance to members who are in need. AGMA contracts with the Entertainment Community Fund (previously The Actors Fund) to administer this program nationally as well as to provide comprehensive social services.
If you or a loved one is experiencing any kind of emotional crisis, mental health or substance use concern, you can find help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (1-855-662-7474) or Peer- to-Peer Warmline (1-855-466-7100).
The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. They’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness. Click here to call now.