Emergency Assistance for Musicians

Today I am writing something which I hope none of you will ever need: financial assistance for musicians who experience an emergency. The most common need is for medical bills, which can easily run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands today for an accident, injury, or serious disease. The phrase “unexpected illness” is redundant – no one ever expects that they will be the one who experiences a life-threatening illness or injury. When these cause a financial crisis, there are three charitable organizations whose mission is specifically to help musicians in their time of need.

Even if this doesn’t apply to you, please read this, and keep these organizations in mind for your friends and colleagues. Every year, I hear about someone I know who plays in local groups, or who I went to school with, who is experiencing a financial emergency. Please let them know about these resources.

Musicians Foundation  http://www.musiciansfoundation.org/

Since 1914, the Musicians Foundation has provided emergency financial assistance for medical bills and living expenses for musicians who are unable to work due to emergency circumstances. To be eligible, you must have been a professional musician for at least 5 years and reside in the United States. To apply, they have a 4-page application and require tax documents, a letter, professional biography, and medical documentation.

Grammy.org MusiCares Emergency Financial Assistance  https://www.grammy.org/musicares/client-services/emergency-financial-assistance

Grammy’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program provides financial support for musicians in times of financial, medical, and personal crises. This includes hospital and medical bills, addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy, Alzheimer’s care, as well as living expenses such as rent and utilities. To qualify, you need to document employment as a musician for at least five years and on six commercially released recordings or videos.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund  http://sweetrelief.org/

Sweet Relief helps career musicians in the US and Canada with financial emergencies due to illness, disability, or age-related problems. Grants are provided to musicians who have regular public performances or performed or wrote music for at least three widely distributed recordings.

All three organizations accept and rely on donations to provide this financial support to musicians in need. So, if you are able, please consider making a donation on behalf of other musicians.

If you know a musician experiencing a health care and financial crisis, the last thing they may be thinking about is filling out forms, writing letters, and submitting financial paperwork. I will help any eligible musician complete these applications at no cost whatsoever. It’s a few hours of my time, but hopefully this can help them and their family in their moment of need.

The exorbitant cost of health insurance has been a frequent conversation this year. This month, I spoke with a healthy, young musician who is spending $450 a month for insurance, and a family of three with a premium over $1,200. As awful as that is, going without insurance is reckless. It is rolling the dice and hoping that you never get ill or have an accident. Please do not go without health insurance – you are risking everything. For moderate and low income families, make sure to investigate tax credits for insurance purchased through the Exchange, under the Affordable Care Act.

Link: IRS Facts about the Premium Tax Credit