INDUSTRY RELIEF & AID Resources
Given the current state of the entertainment industry, many creatives are struggling with financial hardship and a lack of secure access to healthcare and social services. In an effort to help our community, the Foundation has compiled a list of useful resources that offer a variety of health, social, and financial services that may provide relief to those in need.
If you have a suggestion for this list, please use the submission form at the bottom of this page. Please note that as the needs of the community are continuously evolving, some of the information provided in this post may be dated or clinics may not be accepting new clients. Inclusion in this list does not equal Foundation endorsement.
BENEFITSCAL
BenefitsCal is a portal for California residents to apply and manage benefits online, including food, cash aid, and health coverage programs.
CALFRESH
CalFresh is for people with low-income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.
COVERED CALIFORNIA
Covered California is a free service connecting Californians with affordable health insurance options and enrollment in accordance with the Affordable Care Act.
DIRECTORS GUILD FOUNDATION
The Directors Guild Foundation offers financial hardship assistance through an interest-free loan program, which has provided a vital lifeline to members facing financial hardships and emergencies.
ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND
A collection of programs, support groups, and resources, the Entertainment Community Fund offers social services and emergency financial assistance for people who are unable to pay their immediate basic living expenses (housing, food, utility bills or health care). The ECF website also includes a large nationwide database of resources for those in need.
GREEN ENVELOPE GROCERY AID
Green Envelope Grocery Aid has returned to provide grants up to $250 for grocery funds directly to lower-level WGA Writers, Support Staffers, & Pre-WGA writers.
HUMANITAS GROCERIES FOR WRITERS
Groceries For Writers is an initiative to distribute grocery story gift cards to WGA writers and writers support staff (writers assistants, writers PAs, script coordinators, and showrunner’s assistants) and their families due to financial hardship.
INEVITABLE FOUNDATION YOUNG ADULT RELIEF FUND
Inevitable Foundation’s Young Adult Relief Fund, supported by the Snap Foundation, is for disabled creatives, ages 18-25, pursuing careers in screenwriting and/or filmmaking in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is a service to help locate a food pantry near you and provides additional resources for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
motion picture & television Fund
The MPTF offers health and social services—including temporary financial assistance, case management, and residential living—to working and retired members of the entertainment industry. Members in need of emergency financial assistance can also apply for a loan from the Good & Welfare Fund.
open path collective
Open Path Collective is a nonprofit, nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing heavily discounted in-office and online mental health care. For a lifetime membership of $65, members gain access to psychotherapy for ~$40-$70 per session.
optum live and work well
Optum offers mental health resources and financial counseling. Click “Browse as a guest with a company access code” and enter MPIPHP to access this information.
pen america us writers aid initiative
The U.S. Writers Aid Initiative is intended to assist fiction and nonfiction authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, translators, and journalists in addressing short-term financial emergencies through a quarterly grant program.
rauschenberg medical emergency grants
This program provides one-time grants for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need.
sag-aftra foundation emergency financial aid & disaster relief fund
For SAG-AFTRA union members, this relief fund offers financial support for those in urgent financial need due to an unexpected life crisis.
SoCalGas LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SoCalGas offers a federally-funded energy assistance program that may help you pay your utility bill if you're income-qualified.
Southern california counseling center
The Southern California Counseling Center provides comprehensive counseling services at income-based rates.
the union solidarity coalition
The Union Solidarity Coalition offers financial support to Teamster or IATSE members who have lost health insurance due to strike-related shutdowns.
venice family clinic mental health referral sheet
Courtesy of the Venice Family Clinic, this mental health referral sheet contains a list of emergency hotlines and organizations that offer psychiatry, counseling, substance abuse treatment, centers for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and other health services.
WOMEN IN FILM HELP LINE
The Women In Film Help Line offers emotional support for challenging times in the entertainment industry along with list of additional strike-related resources.
Additional discounts
While the strike might be over, the WGA/SAG Strike Discounts database provides a list of local venues that may still offer discounts and deals with a valid WGA or SAG membership card. Please verify discounts before ordering! If you find that any of these are no longer valid, please inform @deannashumaker on X or @m_nussbaum on Instagram.
resource submission form
Are you aware of a resource missing from this list that could help creatives in need? Please use the form below to submit one for consideration.