Emergency Relief

We have compiled a list of resources that might be available for members who have been affected by the recent fires. Info will be added as it becomes available.

Emergency Funding now available!

The AFM has started a new program for members who are victims of catastrophe. Our hope is that this fund will bring some relief to areas where insurance has fallen short. Please download the Emergency-Relief-Fund-Application and submit it to Local 6 along with supporting documentation.
Send to Beth@afm6.org
or 116 Ninth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Attn: Beth Zare.

Click here for more information.

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to eligible participants of one of the following programs:

To qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant:

  1.  Your residence must be in a county qualifying for individual assistance money from FEMA (to check if your county has been designated as an area eligible for individual assistance money, visit (FEMA’s disaster declarations page).
  2.  You must have experienced a significant loss of income or property within the past six months due to the disaster.
  3.  You must have had a Union Plus Credit Card for at least three months, Union Plus Mortgage, Union Plus Life or Accidental Death Insurance or Union Plus Auto Insurance for at least 12 months with that account or policy in good standing (be up-to-date on payments).

If you participate in any of the following programs and want to apply for a disaster relief grant, call:

  • Union Plus Credit Card: 1-800-622-2580
  • Union Plus Mortgage: 1-800-472-2005
  • Union Plus Insurance: 1-800-472-2005
  • Union Plus Auto Insurance: 1-800-472-2005

In addition, AT&T, the provider of  Union Plus wireless discounts, will issue free AT&T PREPAID phones for landline customers without wireless service, while supplies last. Head to the  AT&T newsroom to learn more about this offer.

The Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund has provided nearly $1 million in assistance to union members facing hardships following Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters. Head to the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund page to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.

1Certain restrictions, limitations and qualifications apply to these grants. Additional information and eligibility criteria can be obtained at UnionPlus.org/Assistance.

2The Union Plus Credit Cards are issued by Capital One, N.A. pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

MusiCares West Region and MusiCares MAP Fund

3030 Olympic Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
MusiCares
Ph: 310.392.3777
Fx: 310.392.2187
Toll-free Help Line: 1.800.687.4227

Free Legal Consultation

Local 6 retains legal counsel to advise us and intervene when necessary regarding employee/employer matters and the general area of labor law. A free consultation for a non-union matter is also available to members.  Requests for all such advice must be made to the Local President or Secretary – Treasurer.  For matters regarding entertainment law and copyright law, members should directly consult attorneys who specialize in those fields.

In addition, the following legal benefit is available through Union Plus:
– A free initial consultation with a lawyer of up to 30 minutes (in person or over the phone).
– A free simple document review and explanation.
– A free follow-up letter or phone call, if likely to resolve a legal matter.
– Most additional services are discounted by 30% (including attorney’s hourly rates and flat fees for most common legal cases).

Links For Further Assistance

2-1-1
Call 2-1-1 to be connected with community services in your area, providing services like food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance and physical and mental health resources.

American Red Cross
Links to local Red Cross websites are searchable by zip code. General information about disaster services, health and safety services, emergency preparation and other programs offered by the Red Cross is available.

American Red Cross Safe and Well List
The American Red Cross has provided a way for those affected by a disaster to register as safe and well, and for concerned family and friends to search for the status of their loved ones.

Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities’ relief and recovery services are provided on a regional level, and respond to the need for emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support. Other Catholic Charities services include financial, medical and utilities assistance, clothing, housing, health care, and child care. This site provides links to local branches, each of which provides direct assistance.

Disaster Recovery and Assistance
The LSU AgCenter has an array of information about recovering from the multiple problems caused by a hurricanes, floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events. Dangers include disease from insects and other pests, and illness from contaminated flood waters.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s website explains what disaster assistance and housing needs assistance are, who qualifies, and what other services FEMA offers, provides an online application and apply-by-phone directions, and allows users to check the status of their applications and find out how they can spend their assistance money.

Lutheran Services in America (LSA)
LSA’s emergency and disaster services include clothing, emergency housing, financial assistance, food programs, legal aid, telephone crisis support and referrals, and support services. This site can be searched for services regionally or by type of assistance needed.

Pets and Disaster: Be Prepared
This page of the Red Cross website advises pet owners on how to plan for their pets’ safety in the event of a disaster. Red Cross shelters do not accept pets, so it is essential to be prepared in advance.

Prepare.org: After a Disaster
The American Red Cross’s website on preparedness is intended to help seniors, children and people with disabilities in particular prepare for natural disasters and emergencies. This page has instructions on how to perform many tasks involved in recovery from disaster.

Salvation Army
Among the Salvation Army’s disaster reponse and recovery programs are counseling and support programs, financial assistance, shelter provision, and the distribution of water, food, furniture, building materials, sanitary, infant and child care products, medicines, bedding and other items for which an immediate need exists. This website can locate nearby branches by a zip code search.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Among the many services provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society are emergency financial assistance, emergency transportation and disaster relief and victim services. This website allows users to search for local councils offering assistance.

United Way
The United Way provides assistance in every step of recovery from disaster.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Disasters & Emergencies
HHS has a page of links to information and resources for all types of disasters and emergencies. Click on ‘Disaster Relief’ to find organizations offering aid in times of emergency.

Entertainment Industry Relief Organizations

The Actors Fund
National human services organization that helps everyone who works in entertainment and performing arts. The Actors Fund provides comprehensive social services including counseling, crisis intervention and connections to local resources for personal, family or work related problems as well as emergency financial assistance for basic living necessities.

Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund
The Fund serves veterans of the theatrical community — those who have worked in the exhibition, distribution or production of theater or movies — who are encountering an illness, injury or life-changing event. Call the Fund at 888.994.3863 for information about their aid and grant programs.

Entertainment And Performing Arts Union And Guild Assistance Funds

Actors’ Equity Association
Actors’ Equity provides grants through The Actors Fund to current paid members with earnings of three years. The grants are intended to help with living expenses and are given once per 12-month period.

American Federation Of Musicians: The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund
The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled Musicians provides a modest grant to temporarily or permanently disabled musicians who are members of the AFM.

American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists Financial Assistance
AFTRA members of at least two years’ standing may be eligible for grants for living expenses. Contact your local for more information.

American Guild Of Variety Artists
AGVA members who have completed initiation and paid dues for one year can apply for emergency aid for basic needs or medical expenses. Contact the Los Angeles office at 818.508.9984 or the New York office at 212.675.1003.

American Guild Of Musical Artists Relief Fund
AGMA members in good standing may be eligible for emergency financial assistance. Grants are administered by the Actors Fund from the New York, Chicago and Los Angeles offices.

Professional Musicians Local 47
The Local 47 Musicians’ Relief Fund is an emergency assistance fund that helps cover expenses when a member musician is in financial distress and cannot work due to a sudden illness or injury.

Music

Jazz Foundation Of America
The Musicians’ Emergency Fund offers aid to elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis.

Layne Staley Fund
The Layne Staley Fund provides support and treatment funds for heroin recovery in the Seattle music community.

Motown/Universal Music Group Fund
The Fund provides grants for assistance to R&B recording artists formerly affiliated with Universal Music Group and any of its labels to ensure that artists in need have access to financial resources for health, welfare and medical needs.

Music Maker Relief Foundation
The Musical Sustenance Program gives grants to meet basic life needs and emergency relief to people 55 years or older and rooted in a Southern musical tradition.

Musicians Foundation
Musicians Foundation helps professional musicians by providing emergency financial assistance in meeting current living, medical and allied expenses. All professional musicians are eligible to apply.

Opry Trust Fund
Any person who has been employed full time in the country music industry may be eligible for financial aid from the Opry Trust Fund.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
Sweet Relief provides financial assistance to career musicians who are facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.

Emergency Financial Assistance Resources For California

California Jazz Foundation
The California Jazz Foundation provides emergency financial assistance to jazz musicians and others who have made substantial contributions to the art form.

Southern California Blues Society
SCBS Artist Assistance Fund is designed to provide immediate assistance to blues performers to help defray the financial burden of medical costs and other expenses placed on people in time of crisis.