The SAG-AFTRA Foundation and the SAG-AFTRA MPPWF (Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund) have jointly created a Disaster Relief Fund, available to eligible SAG-AFTRA members who have been impacted by COVID-19, as well as members who are affected by natural disasters in 2021.

All applications for Emergency Financial Assistance, COVID-19 Relief and Disaster Relief will go through the Disaster Relief Fund. We’ve streamlined our assistance programs into this one fund to expedite resources and services.

SAG-AFTRA members are eligible to apply for COVID-19 Relief if they are currently active and paid up on their dues through October 2019 or if they joined SAG-AFTRA thereafter and is currently paid up on their dues.

COVID-19 Relief is available for SAG-AFTRA members who are unable to pay their basic living expenses (food/housing/health care/utilities) at present. We ask that if you have the resources to cover these expenses, please wait to apply. These are unprecedented times and we all must steward our resources very carefully.

SAG-AFTRA members are eligible to apply for Disaster Relief if they are currently active and paid up on their dues through October 2019 or joined SAG-AFTRA thereafter and is currently paid up on their dues and have experienced loss of housing, evacuation or emergency medical needs directly related to a natural disaster, including the recent floods, storms, wildfires and hurricanes.

The Actors Fund will assist by administering these resources on the ground. All applications are confidential and anonymous. We are working as quickly as we can to respond to all applications.

Other Disaster Resources Available

Please note: Before starting to fill out our online application, you must review the eligibility criteria and be prepared to digitize and upload all required documentation. Applications without proper documentation will not be processed and you will not be notified.

Eligibility Requirements for COVID-19 Relief for SAG-AFTRA members

Please note: Suspended Payment, Terminated, and Fee-Paying-Non-Member (Ficore) are NOT ELIGIBLE to receive assistance from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

1. Copy of your current membership card or confirmation by SAG-AFTRA membership department – including end date. Your membership must be current through October 2019 to be eligible. If you joined SAG-AFTRA after October 2019, you need to be currently paid up on your dues.
2. Most recent bank statement (not printout from ATM)
3. Current lease or mortgage/maintenance statement

Eligibility Requirements for Disaster Relief for SAG-AFTRA members

Please note: Suspended Payment, Terminated, and Fee-Paying-Non-Member (Ficore) are NOT ELIGIBLE to receive assistance from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

1. Copy of your current membership card or confirmation by SAG-AFTRA membership department – including end date. Your membership must be current through October 2019 to be eligible. If you joined SAG-AFTRA after October 2019, you need to be currently paid up on your dues.
2. Demonstrates emergency need directly related to a natural disaster, to include loss of housing, evacuation, emergency medical bills or other directly related needs.

Tips on Making Your Application Process Easier

You should prepare your documents prior to filling out the online application. You will be required to upload your documents at the end of the online application.

If your documents are not already available electronically, here are some suggested steps to create an electronic file for your paper documents.

1. Search your app store for Evernote Scannable. This is a free app. There are numerous apps that are available to create electronic files for your paper documents; please use what works for you.
2. Download Evernote Scannable to your phone.
3. When you are ready, open the app and scan documents.
4. This will create a PDF of your files.
5. You will need to create one PDF file for each of these categories:
   1. 1 file for union card(s) or proof of membership status, if applicable
   2. 1 file for last month’s bank statement
   3. 1 file for current lease, rent statement, mortgage/maintenance. (If unavailable, can be substituted with utility/phone bill listing your current address)

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is currently taking tax-deductible donations for the COVID-19 / Disaster Relief Fund. Every donation counts, big or small, and 100% of your donation will provide relief to SAG-AFTRA members in need.

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that has been recognized among U.S. nonprofits, by both Guidestar and Charity Navigator, for its commitment to accountability and transparency. For donation purposes, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Tax ID is: 95-3967876.