Local USA 829 Member Relief, Resources & Support
Currently, both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP). In this unusually precarious moment for our industry—a moment in which collective action and cooperation can shift the dynamics and conditions for all in entertainment for the better—it is you and your families who may be feeling the impact. And while we know that the fight for equity and value on the job is worthwhile and necessary, enduring contract fights affect all in our community. You can access our complete Strike Update page here, which contains FAQs, ways to engage, and where you can get more information.
The Local Union Executive Board had resolved to immediately offer dues assistance (on 9/12/23) for any Local USA 829 member due to the impact of the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The Board has taken this measure knowing that many of us throughout our union are facing financial hardship from the evolving effects due to this interruption of our livelihoods. This dues assistance—or dues Relief Credit—is equivalent to one quarter of local union dues and assessments and is available to any active or suspended member of our union who completed the request form by September 30.
Quarterly Dues Relief Credit FAQ
Who is eligible for the Dues Relief Credit?
All active or suspended Local USA 829 members who complete the request form by September 30, 2023. Please note that to complete the form, you will need your USA 829 member number.
What is the credit?
The Relief Credit is the equivalent to waiving one quarter of USA 829 dues and assessments. More specifically, the credit equates to the sum of your USA 829 quarterly dues (based on your member classification, i.e., beneficial or industrial), Organizing Fund Assessment, and the Local Union Sick & Benefit Fund Assessment. Both the Local Union Death Benefit Assessment and the IATSE per capita tax will still be due. That means:
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Essentially, Beneficial Members will be billed approximately $64 for the October quarter, and Industrial Members will be billed approximately $39. These figures are approximate since the Local Union Death Benefit Assessment is determined just prior to the billing process.
How do I claim this Relief Credit?
The credit is not automatically applied. To claim this credit, you must complete this form no later than September 30, 2023. If the credit is claimed, it will be reflected on your October 2023 bill.
Where can I locate my USA 829 member number?
In order to complete the request form, you will need to provide your member number. Active members can view their member number on their work card by logging into the USA 829 Member Portal and clicking "Download My Work Card" or by viewing a past email invoice from billing@usa829.org.
When can I apply for this Relief Credit?
Immediately. Members can apply for the dues relief credit through September 30, 2023, which is in advance of our next dues period; this allows the credit to be applied to the member’s ledger.
How will I know if the credit is applied?
If you claim the Relief Credit, you will:
- Receive a confirmation when you complete and submit the relief form
- Receive your Quarterly Bill in October, and the dues and assessments that have been credited will not be billed on the ledger.
- If you are a “Suspended” Member and claim the Relief Credit, your status will be amended to “Active” for the quarter (through December 31, 2023).
Prior to claiming this credit, what if I have an outstanding dues balance?
Any outstanding dues balance will carry forward to the following quarter(s). However, with the guidance of the Membership Department, we will work with members to address those balances at the appropriate time.
What if I can’t afford the remaining dues payment?
No member will be suspended or dropped at this time and will remain active through at least December 31, 2023.
As we have seen studio after studio shut down productions and put off work indefinitely in response to the ongoing WGA and SAG strikes, our members continue to be affected while we stand in steadfast solidarity with our union kin. To that end, our Local Union Executive Board (LUEB) adopted this Resolution to offer our impacted Local USA 829 members financial assistance.
You are able to apply for a one-time $500 grant, if needed, through our Local USA 829 Member Relief Fund—administered by the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF). In addition to our Local Fund, you can apply for additional funding via the ECF’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program in one application.
Access the ECF's Emergency Financial Assistance webpage and click on “Apply for Assistance” at the bottom of the page; you will then begin the application. Make sure you subsequently select “Emergency Financial Assistance” followed by checking both (or either/or) “Entertainment Community Fund Assistance” and “Local USA 829, IATSE."
You will be prompted to complete the application, including providing documentation for selected funds. ECF financial assistance beyond the Local USA 829 Relief Fund is determined based on request and the requirements set forth by the Fund. Note that to be eligible for the Local USA 829 Relief Fund, you must:
- Be an active member in good standing
- Download your Work Card in your Member Portal needed for the application. You can download your digital card in the Member Portal > Landing Page > Download My Work Card.
- If you’re unable to connect to your Portal or download a current work card, please contact Mike Smith mikes@usa829.org or Assistant to the Financial Secretary Ruksana Chopdat ruksanac@usa829.org and they will help you and provide a membership verification letter to include with application.
- Provide verification of financial need, including:
- Most recent checking and savings bank statements, which must include your name, address, transactions, and balance totals.
- Copies of any bills for which assistance is requested; if a housing expense, please include copies of your lease or mortgage; if a healthcare expense, please include an appropriate statement. Please make sure all documents have your name visible.
The IATSE National Benefits Fund issued a notice announcing approved relief for Fund participants who have been impacted by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The Boards of Trustees of the IATSE National Health & Welfare and Annuity Funds (the "Funds") adopted relief measures to assist affected participants enrolled in Health Plan C and those with an Annuity Plan. You can read the notice here, which provides details on qualifications and instructions to apply.
Health Plan C
Eligible participants currently enrolled (as of July 1, 2023) in Plan C whose CAPP account balance is not sufficient to cover their current coverage option will not have to copay to remain in coverage for the October 1 - December 31, 2023, coverage quarter. Your October 1 statement will indicate if you are eligible for this relief. Please carefully review eligibility requirements.
Annuity Fund
Eligible participants who are not currently working due to the ongoing strikes may take a distribution from their Annuity Fund account without the usual 6-month (or 2-month) waiting period.
Please read the full notice to understand eligibility requirements and further instructions. For the most up-to-date information about the IATSE National Benefit Funds, we encourage you to register for the online portal (if you have not already done so) and check the Funds’ website, iatsenbf.org regularly.
You can read the notice here.
The Local USA 829 Membership Assistance Program—or MAP— is a confidential and free service designed for our membership specifically by providing support, resources, and solutions for a wide range of issues you may be experiencing on or off the job, including counseling services, financial guidance, and community resources.
The work we do—and the hours we’re on the clock—is stressful and impacts us even after we leave the set and put down our for work for the day. The MAP exists to help you navigate the issues you’re facing, in areas such as finances, family, general mental health, substance abuse, and much more. No matter if it is a simple question or a complex, deeply personal problem, our MAP is here to help you through it.
Learn more about the MAP and how you can get in contact here.
Strike Aid List: This list was compiled by the IATSE Motion Picture & Television Department and is updated regularly. From financial assistance to mental health and safety to unemployment and housing, this comprehensive list offers a varied list of support and resources.
USA 829 401k Loan: Your Local USA 829 401k Plan allows you to borrow money from your individual account(s) for any purpose, with the intent that you will pay your own account back. The maximum loan amount (when added to the highest outstanding loan amount) is $50,000, and the minimum loan amount is $1,000. No more than one loan may be outstanding at any time. Other details regarding Plan loans are set forth in the “Participant Loan Policy,” attached as Appendix B to this SPD.
To learn more and initiate a loan, you can log into your account at www.vanguard.com and choose “Access My Money” on the navigation bar.
New York State COBRA Premium Assistance for Entertainment Industry Employees: This program was created to assist eligible entertainment industry employees in maintaining their health insurance during episodic employment. Participants can receive assistance equal to 75% of their COBRA premiums, and for up to 12 months of assistance in a 5-year period—eligibility requirements and restrictions apply.
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. It's easy to apply online and when prompted to follow up with a phone call, make sure to say that you are a freelance workers affected by the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. It takes about 10 days to get from application to receiving the issues debit card.
Green Envelope Grocery Aid: Organized by WGA captain Joelle Garfinkel, this resource is now available for all entertainment workers and provides $100 grocery grants to workers who may need assistance. Assistance can be requested by emailing greenenvelopegroceryaid@gmail.com.
New York Union Child Care Coalition: You may be eligible for subsidized childcare. The New York Union Child Care Coalition (a committee of the New York City Central Labor Council) has developed a pilot project for working parents to increase access to childcare subsidies and quality care in New York City for children up to 13 years of age within qualifying incomes (e.g. under $90,000 for a family of four). Childcare Subsidies are now available across New York City. These vouchers can be used for any type of childcare provider and can save parents an average of $15,000 per year (per child) in childcare expenses. The pilot project is being administered by The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) in coordination with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).
- Parents must be working, live in New York City, and meet income restrictions.
- If you are interested in applying for a childcare subsidy, read this fact sheet first and then fill out pre-screening form or call (212) 558-2244 and leave your name, phone number, and Local union number (Local USA 829, IATSE). Certain restrictions apply.
- Please note that eligibility will solely be determined by the program administrators and applicants must meet the pre-determined thresholds based on individual family circumstances.
Union Plus Strike Benefits: Union Plus offers assistance to those impacted by strikes who may be dealing with credit card, mortgage, or loan issues.
Motion Picture & Television Fund: MPTF offers a variety of services that can provide emotional and financial relief to industry members and their families during times of need. Whether the hardship is personal or the result of an entertainment industry-wide event. Any entertainment industry worker with a “demonstrable financial need” stemming from the strike can apply for temporary help. Note that decisions about eligibility and grant amounts are made on a case-by-case basis. Counseling, confidential help and referrals to other resources are also available. Note that this Fund is usually for members living in Southern California.
Women in Film Help Line: The WIF Help Line offers emotional support during challenging times in the entertainment industry. As entertainment workers fight for job sustainability and safety, this Help Line advocates can be a listening ear to help you navigate the stress of this critical moment. On Thursdays from 9am – 4:30pm, advocates are standing by to provide support and resources specifically about work instability related to work stoppage. People across all entertainment fields and of all genders are invited to call 1-855-WIF-LINE.
Local USA 829 Wellness Committee Resources: The Wellness Committee Resource page offers resources and outlets to improve and foster healthy practices both on and off the job.
This grassroots mutual aid document, generated by many impacted by the strikes, offers various outlets supporting strikers and affected entertainment worker. The document is updated regularly. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1weorhmG1H7cszY3rGHCpNYsgleegkuOSH7rD47JzSAQ/edit
New York State Department of Labor ongoing list of resources for impacted workers.