The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has created the COVID-19 Relief Fund that is now available to eligible SAG-AFTRA members who have been impacted by this pandemic.

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

SAG-AFTRA members are eligible to apply to the Fund if they are currently active and paid up on their dues through October 2019. 

Emergency financial assistance is available for people who are unable to pay their basic living expenses (food/housing/health care) 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.

The Fund covers members who are in an emergency financial crisis related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to cover basic expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, medical bills and other essential needs.

The Actors Fund will assist by administering these resources on the ground. All applications are confidential and anonymous. We are receiving thousands of requests. Please be patient. 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 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.
2. Most recent bank statement (not printout from ATM)
3. Current lease or mortgage/maintenance statement

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 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 has been recognized among U.S. nonprofits, by both Guidestar and Charity Navigator, for its commitment to accountability and transparency.