September 26, 2023
To aid members who may experience financial hardship during the recent strikes, below is information on assistance programs from the Directors Guild Foundation, the DGA – Producer Pension and Health Plans and more.
Directors Guild Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
The Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) has announced the creation of the DGA Emergency Relief Fund to aid members facing financial crisis. The Trustees of the DGF voted unanimously to establish a separate emergency relief fund. The new Fund will support DGA members affected by the shutdowns with $1,000 financial relief grants. The Emergency Relief Fund grants will exist alongside the Foundation’s longstanding interest-free loan program that offers aid to members experiencing financial hardships and emergencies.
DGA Members can call MPTF on its hotline – (323) 634-3888
or contact them via email at info@mptf.com.
Click here to see the FAQ regarding the new Emergency Relief Fund.
Directors Guild Foundation Flagship Loan Program
For decades, the Directors Guild Foundation's interest-free loan program has provided a vital lifeline to members facing financial hardships and emergencies. The Foundation continues this proud tradition of service by providing confidential loans to Directors Guild of America members: standard loans to assist members who are experiencing short term financial hardship and emergency loans to assist members experiencing an immediate need due to a natural disaster, medical emergency, or the like. These short-term, interest free loans up to $10,000 are available to members in need alongside the MPTF Emergency Relief Fund grants.
For more information or to apply for a confidential loan, please contact
the DGF office at (310) 289-2037 or Foundation@dga.org.
If You Can Help, Please Contribute to the Directors Guild Foundation
Members helping members. Today that spirit is more alive than ever as we’ve seen an outpouring of humanity from our DGA family asking how they can help. To help support your fellow members in financial crisis, please remember that giving to the Foundation is a way to make an immediate, personal impact. And it’s now easier than ever – just a few clicks away with an easy-to-use credit card donation form via the link below.
IF YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE DONATE HERE
DGA-Pension and Health Plans Board of Trustees Unanimously Approves Three-Month Extension of Free Major Medical Coverage for Qualifying Participants, Beginning April 1, 2024
The Board of Trustees for the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans has unanimously approved an extension of Major Medical Plus coverage for eligible health plan participants impacted by the recent WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The extension covers the period beginning on April 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2024. Coverage applies to eligible Health Plan participants and their dependents.
All eligible participants will receive a letter from the Health Plan with further information.
To view the full details on who is eligible and other plan information, please visit the DGA-Producer Pension & Health plan website.
Pension and Health Plans Extends Availability of Temporary Loans
The DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans Board has also voted to extend the availability of temporary loans from the Supplemental Pension Plan through March 31, 2024. Loans were originally made available through December 31, 2023. The minimum loan amount is $1,000
- Loan amount is limited to the lesser of $40,000 or 20% of your account balance.
- Loan amounts will be permitted only from the vested portion of your account balance.
- Interest rate for every loan is set at prime plus 1% and is fixed for the life of the loan.
- Up to four (4) outstanding loans (not to exceed the lesser of 20% of your account balance or $40,000 in total) will be allowed at any time during the loan availability period. This includes any existing loans.
- The loan must be fully repaid, plus interest, within 5 years and can be repaid in full at any time without penalty
- For married participants, spousal consent will be required for loans of $5,000 or more
- Loans will not be permitted for participants whose Supplemental Plan accounts are subject to a qualified domestic relations order
- Only general-purpose loans are available under the Supplemental Pension Plan, no primary residence loans are permitted.
Click here for more detailed information on this program
Entertainment Community Fund’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program
The Entertainment Community Fund’s (formerly the Actor's Fund) Emergency Financial Assistance Program offers emergency financial assistance to performing arts workers who are unable to pay their basic living expenses. This includes housing, food, utility bills and healthcare.These funds are available for both union and nonunion workers, but applicants need to provide documentation to prove that they have a history of earnings as a professional in the performing arts and entertainment. Eligibility depends on how long the applicant has worked in the industry and the type of work performed.
Click here for more information about the Entertainment Community
Fund’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program.
The Entertainment Community Fund also manages the disbursement of several funds that provide free, confidential social services. Union and non-union workers may apply for financial assistance.
Other Assistance Options
MOTION PICTURE TELEVISION FUND (MPTF)
Offers a broad set of services available to workers in the film and television industry, regardless of job or title.
Unemployment Insurance
Individuals who lost work due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike may be eligible for unemployment benefits. It is typical for a state to offer 26 weeks of unemployment. The maximum amount in New York State is upwards of $504 per week, California is upwards of $450 per week, Illinois is upwards of $484 per week, and Georgia is upwards of $365 per week. The DGA cannot provide advice on your individual claim. Please refer to your state’s unemployment office for more information.
Student Loan Payment Assistance
Anyone affected by the strikes can reduce or even eliminate their monthly student loan payments while work is sparse. The Education Department’s “income-driven repayment” plans base payments not on how much you owe, but how much you earn.
Assistance for Production Assistants
Go For PAs Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by former Production Assistants-turned-Assistant Directors, Katie Hacker and Andrea Block, in hopes of providing financial aid to PAs who’ve been put out of work due to the strike.