Writers Lend a Hand and Find Help During COVID-19 Pandemic Dashboard Dashboard

During these unprecedented times when many writers are working remotely and others in the industry are out of work entirely, writers are coming together to help each other, help other industry workers in need, and spread the word about where to turn for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of today’s publication of Connect, more than $500,000 has been raised for the Hollywood Support Staff COVID-19 Relief Fund, created by the organization #PayUpHollywood, the ScriptNotes podcast, and the nonprofit YEA!. The campaign will help workers (including assistants, coordinators, PAs, and other industry support staff) who have been laid off or whose hours have been cut due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent entertainment industry shutdown.

Co-founder Liz Alper (Chicago Fire, The Rookie), also a co-founder of #PayUpHollywood (and coiner of the hashtag), said on Twitter on March 20: "Originally, we projected $100k could provide relief from between 111-222 LA-based support staffers. Now, we project we can help between 500-800 qualified applicants while still increasing the stipend amounts for everyone."

In addition to finding ways to help others in need at this time, there are many places writers can turn to for assistance themselves. If participants in the Health Plan, or their dependents, need to get screened or tested for COVID-19, the Health Plan will cover 100% of cost-sharing (including deductible and co-insurance) for both in-network and out-of-network tests and screening, as is detailed on the WGAW’s COVID-19 Resources page. The Actors Fund offers a range of financial, disability, and healthcare services to the broader entertainment industry, and writers with immediate financial needs over the next two months (such as an inability to pay for food, housing, or healthcare) can apply for emergency financial assistance. Writers can also reach out to the Motion Picture Televison Fund’s intake line (323-634-3888) for assistance.

"Throughout it all, our greatest allies have always been writers,” Alper told the WGAW. “When we launched our #SupportOurSupportStaffs GoFundMe campaign to raise relief funds for Hollywood support staff, writers once again led the charge; the outpouring of generosity, from prominent showrunners to newly minted screenwriters, inspired the rest of the industry to reach out to Hollywood's most vulnerable. To be a writer in Hollywood is to be a leader; I'm grateful to all of you and proud to be one of you."

For more information on the #SupportOurSupportStaffs campaign, visit the GoFundMe site and read the LA Times coverage. For a full list of COVID-19 resources for writers, visit the WGAW’s resource page here. Writers who have questions about workplace safety or about contractual or employment rights in these extraordinary circumstances can contact the Guild’s Legal Department and get answers to their COVID-19 employment and benefit questions here.