If your career is in the film and TV industry, you’re probably a freelancer accustomed to ups and downs in your income. Since the writers and actors went on strike, however, the ups have been few and far between for many workers. The end of the strikes hasn’t brightened their prospects, given how slowly production has ramped up since then.
To help workers manage the tough times, the state of California offers up to six months of unemployment benefits to workers whose employers pay unemployment insurance taxes, the state Employment Development Department says. But film and TV workers are often independent contractors, and those workers typically are not eligible for benefits, according to the department. The silver lining in the current cloud is that set workers, actors, writers and other entertainment-industry professionals have access to several dedicated sources of emergency financial aid.
Supported by unions, foundations and donors, they limit their aid to workers in the deepest financial holes from specific industry segments. Here is a list of those extra sources and instructions on how to apply for their aid. The Entertainment Community Fund , formerly know as The Actors Fund, has an emergency financial assistance program that gives grants to performing arts workers who are unable to pay their basic living expenses, such as housing, food, utility and healthcare costs.
The aid is available for both union and nonunion workers, but applicants need to provide documentati.