A SAFETY NET FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
We are committed to ensuring that our colleagues can live with dignity and maintain their ability to work and enjoy life. The ABF offers support to entertainment professionals both young and old who, through illness, accident, disability or in times of financial hardship or difficulties, require financial or other forms of assistance.
Please note:
Applicants are required to be NSW residents, though exceptional circumstances may be considered. Other states have their own Benevolent Funds or similar. Details can be found below.
Full-time students of an accredited performing arts training school are able to apply for assistance in the form of Food Vouchers only.
All information provided in this document is strictly confidential.
The Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW offers FOUR types of grants:
1. FOOD VOUCHERS
2. EMERGENCY GRANT
3. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
4. MONTHLY GRANT
1. FOOD VOUCHERS
The Fund will assist with an one-off delivery of food vouchers to allow those in temporary need to continue to place food on the table. Applicants can apply for a voucher valued at $100, $200, $300 or $400 to relieve financial pressure.
Eligibility
• You are a current resident of NSW.
• You have worked professionally in the entertainment profession for a minimum of 3 years, or are a current full-time student of an accredited performing arts training school.
• You have demonstrated that you are in temporary financial need.
APPLY FOR FOOD VOUCHERS ONLINE
DOWNLOAD PDF FORM - FOOD VOUCHERS FORM
2. Emergency Grant
The Fund may, under circumstances of immediate need, approve a grant of up to $1,000.00 to assist with short term expenses such as payment of outstanding bills, rent assistance or general living costs. Applicants may apply for a combination of food vouchers and cash, capped at a total value of $1,000.00.
It is understood that the recipient would be unable to meet these costs without this assistance.
Eligibility
• You are a current resident of NSW.
• You have worked professionally in the entertainment profession for a minimum of 3 years.
• You have demonstrated that you are unable to meet this expense.
• You provide proof of expenses, ie. Bills, quotes, etc.
APPLY ONLINE NOW - EMERGENCY GRANT
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FOR EMERGENCY GRANT
3. Financial Assistance Grant
The Fund, under certain circumstances, and at the discretion of the committee, will provide grants up to $3,000.00 to assist with urgent and pressing medical and living expenses resulting from injury, illness, accident or disability.
This one-off grant can be used to offset the costs associated with paying of bills associated with health or dental issues, to assist with the purchase of essential items or urgent repairs to goods or dwellings, mobility issues, or specific items that are needed in order to continue in your employment. Funds may cover surgery, ongoing medical treatment such as chemotherapy, mental health therapy or the purchase of home medical equipment. Wherever possible, funds will be paid directly to medical or service providers.
It is understood that the recipient would suffer significant financial hardship without this grant.
An acquittal of the funds is required and should be submitted to ABF within 6 months of the grant being given. This acquittal must outline how the grant was used and include attachments of any supporting documents.
Eligibility
• You are a current resident of NSW.
• You have worked professionally in the entertainment profession for a minimum of 3 years.
• You have demonstrated significant financial need.
• You provide proof of the cost of treatment or expense, eg an invoice from a health provider or quote for equipment.
• You supply a letter of support from a medical provider outlining the importance and benefit of the treatment.
APPLY ONLINE - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
DOWNLOAD PDF FORM - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
4. Monthly Grant
This grant is paid in monthly installments of $330.00. An application may be made for a 3-month, 6-month or 12-month period, and may be extended or renewed following further application to, and at the discretion of, the Committee.
It is available to those who are unable to work, or whose working hours have been reduced for a prolonged period due to injury, illness, accident or disability. This grant is designed to supplement other government benefits being received and is to assist with general living expenses.
It is understood that the recipient would suffer significant financial hardship without this grant.
ELIGIBILITY
• You are a current resident of NSW.
• You have worked professionally in theatre, film or television for a minimum of 3 years.
• You have demonstrated significant financial need.
• You are a current recipient of Government Benefits (JobSeeker, pension, etc); or You have limited forms of income available to you.
• Your current income is the equivalent of $35,000 per annum or less
Recipients are required to inform the ABF of any changes that affects their income either temporarily or permanently. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of payments without notice. Further, recipients may have the terms of their grant reviewed at the discretion of the Committee.
APPLY ONLINE - MONTHLY GRANT
DOWNLOAD PDF FORM - MONTHLY GRANT
All grants are made at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Help is offered in various ways – financial, practical and advisory. Beneficiaries may receive a one-off grant or a recurring monthly. Alternatively, medical, psycohlogical or dental expenses (paid directly to the provider) and pharmaceutical bills may be fully or partially met by the fund. In some cases, there may also be provisions for the care of children or other dependants of those in need
Online applications are preferred and quick to assess, but all the forms are available for you to download, print and post to:
Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW
245 Chalmers Street
Redfern NSW 2016
You may speak directly to a Committee member by forwarding us your contact details via email
or by leaving your name and number on our voicemail 02 9333 0915
We will contact you as soon as possible.
The Management Committee meets on the last Monday of each month to consider all grant applications. If you require urgent assistance email info@actorsbenevolentfund.org.au to request an early assessment.
A bond of confidentiality exists within the Fund. The identities of recipients are never disclosed.
Individuals may apply in any of the above grant categories, The maximum financial support available to any individual within a 12-month period is $6,000.00 via any combination of grant applications.
There is also a comprehensive list of organisations nationwide offering help in many ways under OTHER ASSISTANCE.
Seniors can also apply to the James Laurie Senior Assistance Fund.
Tony Barry
"Having been one of those fortunate actors who has managed to make a living of various degrees from acting, I led myself to believe that I was capable and self-sufficient, until I wasn’t. I was diagnosed with Melanoma, underwent surgery, rehab, the whole nine yards. The Actors Benevolent Fund were on my doorstep right from the get go. I wouldn’t have been able to survive without the dignity which was respectfully afforded by the Actors Benevolent Fund. I urge you to support your Fund, it may be to your benefit one day. I write this with Gratitude and Respect." - Tony Barry.
Note: All support given by and communication with the ABF is strictly confidential. Tony chose to make his situation public to help raise awareness of the work of the ABF and we thank him for his generosity and openness.