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Emergency Assistance

Help is available for musicians who have suffered major losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters.

For more resources related to COVID-19 and Mental Health, click here.

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Musicians’ Relief Fund
The Musicians’ Relief Fund helps union musicians who work gig to gig and are confronting extraordinary financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please Note: We have more applications than we can currently fund. We are pausing applications at this time and will reopen the process as more funds become available. We will reach out directly to all musicians who have already submitted applications.

Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled Musicians
The AFM’s Lester Petrillo Fund was established to assist members-in-good standing who become ill or disabled and cannot accept work. The following COVID-specific circumstances would qualify for assistance:

  1. An AFM member is diagnosed with Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  2. An AFM member tests positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and must quarantine

Members and local officers may download the Lester Petrillo Fund application here. Completed applications, along with supportive medical documentation, should be submitted by members to their local unions, which will then submit them to the Federation.

AFM Emergency Relief Fund
This fund assists musicians adversely affected by major disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires or tornadoes. Here is a list of disasters (eligible counties by state) covered by this fund. AFM members who resided or were employed as a musician in impacted areas designated by FEMA as Federal Disaster Areas (individual assistance), were in good standing at the time of the loss and continue to be in good standing may apply to the AFM Emergency Relief Fund for assistance.
Download the AFM Emergency Relief Fund Application here.

AFM Hurricane Relief Fund
This fund assists musicians impacted by hurricanes. AFM members in good standing who resided or were employed as a musician in areas designated by FEMA as Federal Disaster Areas (individual assistance) or in the case of Canada a provincial state of emergency declaration and were impacted by a hurricane may apply to the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund for assistance
Download the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund Application (with list of eligible counties).

Union Plus
Musicians participating in certain Union Plus programs who have been impacted by natural disasters may be eligible for financial assistance through the Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant program. Please visit the Union Plus Disaster Relief Fund here to learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements.

The Actors Fund
Musicians affected by natural disasters should contact The Actors Fund for information on emergency financial assistance and other resources.

Donate

The Musicians’ Relief Fund helps freelance union musicians who are confronting extraordinary financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your contribution will provide direct support to American Federation of Musicians (AFM) members and their families.