COVID-19 Financial Aid

Recommended Resources

Financial Aid from one of the following recommended resources may be available to you if you experienced material losses as a result of the COVID pandemic.  Consultations with the NOMC’s social worker are currently limited to current patients of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic, however below is a (non-exhaustive) guide to recommended financial aid resources that are cultural community-specific.

While application requirements and parameters vary by funding source, typically, you must be able to provide the following documentation.  To address the impact on cash-based workers, some funds are becoming more flexible in their requirements, applicants must consult the appropriate agency to learn more about criteria.

The Ella Project can help answer your questions on documentation and eligibility for varying funds and relief programs. Call/Email with your questions to 504-250-0429 or gene@ellanola.org.

List of items typically needed for applications:

• Proof of culturally-related work (e.g. contract, a letter from your employer, 1099, W2)
• 2018 and/or 2019 tax return
• A valid form of ID or proof of residency
• bank statements

• NATIONAL Resources:

  • Music COVID Relief
  • Actors’ Fund (not just for Actors)
  • MusiCares
  • Musicians Foundation CV19 FUND
  • Sweet Relief COVID-19 Fund
  • Blue Grass Trust Fund – COVID-19 Relief Fund
  • Songwriters of North America
  • Artist Relief Grants
  • ARTNOIR JAR OF LOVE MICROGRANT
    • $500 grants for cultural workers of color of any discipline.

• LOUISIANA Resources:

  • APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT 
    • Help Filing for Unemployment
    • **HELP GUIDE: Government Support for Creative Professionals (PDF) – **download or screenshot this helpful flowchart – for anyone who lost current or upcoming full or part-time work!
      • Catholic Charities Assistance for Benefits Enrollment – Catholic Charities can assist you with completing: SNAP Application/Re-certification, Medicaid Application, Benefits Enrollment Checkup. For assistance please contact: Mary Smith Office (504) 861-6360 | cell (504) 605-9248 OR Doug Kariker Office (504) 310-6909 | cell (504) 260-6443
• MACCNO RESOURCES FOR THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY

• Mutual Aid Google Doc: https://tinyurl.com/r6sctyn
• Mutual Aid New Orleans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MutualAidNewOrleans
• DSA Mutual Aid Survey: https://tinyurl.com/rcmfrmy
• OPPRC Bail Fund: https://tinyurl.com/robsssc
• NOLA COVID-19 Mutual Aid: https://tinyurl.com/spfto6v
• Freelance Artist Resources: https://tinyurl.com/rdtrdd4
• Louisiana Hospitality Foundation:
  • Crisis Grants –  https://tinyurl.com/ryjx4lm
  • Hurricane Relief Grants – https://louisianahospitalityfoundation.org/hurricane-relief-program-2/
• For more visit: ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/assistance