COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 RESOURCES
First and foremost, we hope you and your family are remaining healthy and safe during these unprecedented times. We want to let you know that the PGA is here to make every effort to assist members in any way possible.
MEMBERS RELIEF FUND ANNOUNCED
The Guild has announced the creation of The Producers Guild of America Members Relief Fund. The launch of the fund is made possible by a generous lead gift from former PGA president Mark Gordon, in the amount of $100,000. Members who are in need of emergency financial relief due to the coronavirus crisis can apply for aid.
- For members to apply for aid: actorsfund.org/gethelp
- To donate to the fund: actorsfund.org/PGA
BACK TO WORK GUIDELINES (updated 8/31/20)
Resources we hope you've had the chance to review:
Producers Guild of America - Production Safety Task Force: COVID Safety Protocols for Producing Independent Productions - COVID Protocols (Revised 2/4/21)
New York Forward - Media Production Guidelines
As New York State reopens, industry-specific guidance for Media Production has been released as part of Phase Four of the New York Forward regional phased reopening plan.
This industry specific guidance includes: Summary Guidance, Detailed Guidance with an affirmation link, and a Business Safety Plan Template.
RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS (updated 11/5/20)
The Actors Fund
The Actors Fund is offering all its usual resources, as well as emergency financial assistance.
The Actors Fund workshops
Groups and seminars are now available online or over the phone, so you can seamlessly continue the courses you were in the midst of, or join a new workshop: https://actorsfund.org/workshops
Update, 10/1/20: The lottery for One Blue Slip is now open - application deadline is October 19. Join The Actors Fund for an informative webinar on either October 1, 8 or 10, on how to successfully apply to the new rent-stabilized, luxury apartments for middle-income households, along the Brooklyn waterfront.
Update, 11/5/20: If you think you are eligible, now is a fabulous time to apply to The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence. The Friedman is a shared housing (roommates) residence that offers affordable housing for working professionals in performing arts and entertainment, persons with HIV/AIDS, and senior citizens (60 years of age or older).
American Documentary COVID Fund
This COVID-19 Artist Emergency Fund will provide rapid response grants up to $500 to assist artists with basic needs including food, immediate health needs and insurance premiums.
Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19; serve as an ongoing informational resource; and co-launch the COVID-19 Impact Survey for Artists and Creative Workers, designed by Americans for the Arts, to better identify and address the needs of artists moving forward.
IMPACT SURVEY: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5532991/6539d78e3593
Contact Tracing Course - Johns Hopkins (Free)
The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across the country, requiring thousands of people to learn key skills quickly. The job qualifications for contact tracing positions differ throughout the country and the world, with some new positions open to individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent.
This is an extensive, aggregated list of free resources, opportunities and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines, including producers. It contains national and international information. We want to note that the PGA has not vetted these resources.
Entertainment Partners - Master Series: Your Guide to Intelligent Production
A series of free live workshops specifically designed for production professionals and everyone interested in production.
Field of Vision - Documentary Freelancer Relief Fund
Field of Vision and Topic Studios have created a $250,000 fund to provide grants for freelancers working in the Documentary field. The fund will distribute unrestricted grants of up to $2000 to support personal financial needs during the COVID19 pandemic to freelancers who have experienced hardship from loss of income or opportunity as a result of the pandemic. Applications are at capacity, but will open again on May 6.
Applications open on April 2. Freelancers Relief Fund will offer financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs, including: Food/food supplies; Utility payments; Cash assistance to cover income loss
GreenSlate - COVID-19 Resources
Lots of information & resources, related to unemployment, employer relief, and other governmental programs.
LA County COVID-19 Rent Relief
The LA County COVID-19 Rent Relief application will open on August 17, 2020, for income-eligible renters in LA County COVID-19 Rent Relief is open to renters in Los Angeles County. Eligible renters must qualify based on income and have struggled to pay rent, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their landlord must provide a W-9 and sign a participation agreement in order to have the rent paid on behalf of the tenant.
Motion Picture and Television Fund
The Motion Picture and Television fund is offering financial aid and case management services to the industry. Those is need, particularly industry retirees, can call their intake line at (323) 634-3888.
RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS
UNEMPLOYMENT
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD provides services to employees, businesses and job seekers in California. Currently it has relevant information on topics such as reduced hours, closures or layoffs, caregiving and tax assistance. (California)
SAG-AFTRA - Unemployment assistance webinar
President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement webinar on unemployment assistance, held April 7, 2020. Topics include applying for unemployment insurance and getting relief provided by the CARES Act.
New Jersey Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workplace Development has just announced that “recipients of federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) — the self-employed, independent contractors and others who are not usually eligible for unemployment insurance benefits — will start being notified of their PUA eligibility today, and the Department will begin making payments Friday.”
New York State Department of Labor
This site shares information on how people can file an unemployment claim if they are affected by the coronavirus. (New York)
New York State Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a new Federal program that is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. PUA provides financial assistance for Americans who are unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic but do not qualify for traditional unemployment insurance (UI).
Washington, D.C. Dept. of Employment Services Webinars
The Department of Employment Services will be hosting daily webinars to answer questions regarding unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CARES Act
CARES Act - Overview of Benefits
This is a straightforward summary created by the DGA, SAG-AFTRA and the California IATSE Council. It addresses benefits specifically for those working in entertainment.
CARES Act - Producers Guild Q&A
See the full newsletter, sent to all members, that has all the most relevant answers about the CARES Act.
UBS - Coronavirus Relief Programs for Businesses Owners
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act" or "Phase III") has been signed into law. Phase III provides support for business owners in the form of loans, guarantees, tax deferrals and other support. While many of the details are to be spelled out in the days to come, we do know a lot more than we did a week ago. UBS's Business Owner Client Segment reviewed the bill to see what business owners should know.
OTHER
Corona "Phase III" and the Road Ahead
This document, created by GPG (Glover Park Group), contains a detailed report on the federal legislation as a whole and the possibility of further financial assistance in the near future.
NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
Freelancers in NYC: If you're facing nonpayment issues, file a complaint. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has helped recover more than $250,000 in lost wages.
To help small businesses deal with the impact of COVID-19, the City has launched the Employee Retention Grant Program to help retain employees as businesses face decreased revenue. This program is available to New York City businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000. (NYC)
NYC Financial Empowerment Centers
Free Financial Counseling: NYC Financial Empowerment Centers provide free one-on-one professional, confidential, financial counseling over the phone.
NYC Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment NY
General resources, especially those related to the entertainment industry. (NYC)
NYC Small Business Continuity Loan Program
To help small businesses deal with the impact of COVID-19, the City has launched the NYC Small Business Continuity Loan Program. This program is available to New York City businesses with fewer than 100 employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses can apply for an interest-free loan up to $75,000. (NYC)
SBA - Paycheck Protection Program (updated July 1, 2020)
The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll by providing each small business a loan up to $10 million for payroll and certain other expenses. If all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks, SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Up to 100 percent of the loan is forgivable.
Paycheck Protection Program Update! The Senate has passed by unanimous consent a bill to extend the June 30 deadline to submit an application for a Paycheck Protection Program to August 8th. The bill will now be considered by the House for approval.
U.S. Department of Labor
The following links contain information regarding the rights of employees and the obligations of employers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nationwide Fair Labor Standards
DOL Unemployment Insurance Program Letter - To provide states with operating, financial, and reporting instructions for the PUA program authorized by Section 2102 of the CARES Act of 2020, Public Law (Pub. L.) 116-136.
COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION
General information & resources including alerts, statistics, testing and medical care.
Los Angeles - Testing information
NYC COVID-19 Engagement Portal
The City of New York is collecting information to better understand and communicate about the impacts of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This information will be helpful in enabling the City to share information with you and members of the public about COVID-19, and to help inform the City’s response to areas affected by COVID-19.
New York - Testing information
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
LA County Department of Mental Health
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) supports the wellbeing of our County family, friends and colleagues. During an infectious disease outbreak, care for your own physical and mental health and reach out in kindness to those affected by the situation.
The mission of The Maple Counseling Center (TMCC) is to provide low-cost comprehensive mental health services to individuals of all ages, couples, and families throughout Los Angeles County. The Maple Counseling Center is now offering a COVID-19 tele-support group to help community members cope with the current pandemic.
Massachusetts General Hospital - Guide to Mental Health Resources for COVID-19
The Department of Psychiatry has put together a curated set of resources with a particular emphasis on materials that will be of use to providers and those they serve.
National Alliance on Mental Health
COVID-19 Resource & Information Guide - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
NYC Well is New York City’s free, confidential support, crisis intervention, and information and referral service for anyone seeking help for mental health and/or substance misuse concerns, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.