Where to find help if you’ve lost income because of COVID-19 closures

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces on Monday (March 16) the closure of bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, gyms, health clubs and other businesses in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Mayor’s Office photo)

With New Orleans a hotspot for the pandemic, officials have put in place a daunting array of restrictions and closures that have disrupted the life — if not the livelihood — of nearly every New Orleanian.

Hundreds of New Orleans workers have been impacted by COVID-19 related closures. If you’ve experienced a loss of income because of the coronavirus pandemic, here are some resources to help you through, including unemployment compensation; relief funds for gig workers, musicians, bartenders and others; help for small businesses; counseling for stress and more.

Gig-worker relief fund

The New Orleans Business Alliance announced on March 17 that it had set up a dedicated relief fund to meet the needs of the gig economy workers, many of who have been adversely affected by the loss of income. This includes ride-share drivers, musicians, arena workers and festival production staff.

As of 2017, gig economy works made up more than 8 percent of the workforce in Orleans Parish. “In New Orleans, many of these workers depend on the cultural calendar for reliable income,” stated the press release.

So far, NOBA has committed $100,000 to initiate the fund, with the goal of increasing it to $500,000. As of now, the awards are $500 to $1,000 per person and meet the approved criteria.

What if a person doesn’t have a computer to file? NOBA representative Victoria Phipps answered in an email to reporter Sue Strachan that there are a few different options:

1. With a smart phone, the applicant can email a member of the of the NOBA team (info@nolaba.org) and they will work with them to get the necessary documents.
2. If applicants only have access to a standard phone, they can call the NOBA office 504-934-4500 and the NOBA team will work to capture as much information as they can by phone, working through solutions to capture document needs.

“We’re trying to be as flexible as we can to ensure that these critical members of our community are getting the support that they need,” stated Phipps.

The first day the fund was available, March 17, NOBA had received nearly 5,000 visitors to the site in less than 23 hours.

“We’re working through this initial wave of activity and expect to be issuing first payments by Friday of this week,” said Phipps. “Moving forward, we’re hoping to expedite that turn around time significantly. It’s a real time need, with a real time response.”

To apply, go to: nolaba.org/relief-fund.

Unemployment compensation

Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Unit is available for assistance concerning temporary or permanent layoffs due to COVID-19. Workers who are impacted by temporary closures or reduced hours may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits

Bartender relief fund

Bartenders and bar backs can apply to the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program run by the U.S. Bartenders Guild foundation. Spouses and children of bartenders can also apply. The link is on the foundation’s website here.

Funds for musicians

Some national funds supply assistance to musicians affected by the pandemic: the Recording Academy’s MusicCares, the Sweet Relief fund for COVID-19 economic loss and the Jazz Foundation’s Musicians Emergency Fund.

The following borrows from a list compiled by Carrie Booher, digital content editor for WWOZ.org (90.7 FM). WWOZ also offers this advice: “Track your losses! While there is still much uncertainty on how artists may recoup money lost from canceled events and tours, artists should be diligent in tracking the impact of COVID-19 on their work and income. Be sure to document records of cancellations, losses from ticket sales and refunds, and any other relevant from COVID-19. Though it is unclear what financial assistance for artists might look like in the future, equipping yourself with this information can help you make a case for yourself should a solution arrive.”

The MusiCares’ Emergency Financial Assistance Program provides critical funds for people in the music industry struggling with financial, medical or personal crises. This program offers financial assistance for medical expenses including doctor, dental and hospital bills, prescriptions, addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy, treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other critical illnesses, as well as basic living expenses such as rent and utilities. On March 17, the Recording Academy and MusiCares launched their coronavirus specific relief fund, which can be donated and applied to at this link.

Eligibility consists of documented employment in the music industry for at least five years or credited contribution to six commercially released recordings or videos. Documentation can be provided in a variety of ways, including liner note credits, copies of contracts, check stubs, brochures, flyers and newspaper articles. The MusiCares South Region has a help line: 877-626-2748.

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund provides financial assistance to all types of career musicians and music industry workers who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.

To provide immediate assistance in light of massive cancellations of live music, Sweet Relief has created a donor-directed fund with a limited amount of money available to be used specifically for musicians and music industry workers affected by the Coronavirus. Funds raised can go toward lodging, clothing, food and other vital living expenses (as well as medical expenses) to those impacted due to loss of work.

A Sweet Relief application can be found here. To learn more about the fund, visit the COVID-19 FUND page. You may also call 888-955-7880 for more information.

The Jazz Foundation has a Musicians’ Emergency Fund. This fund provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and direct financial support in times of crisis.

The American Federation of Musicians offers assistance for musicians fighting to recover from natural disasters. Its COVID-19 assistance is still evolving. The union’s list of resources can be found here.

Help for small businesses

Small businesses in New Orleans are now eligible for federal disaster-loan assistance through the Small Business Administration. Gov. John Bel Edwards announced the availability of these loans Thursday as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

To get started, visit SBA.gov/Disaster. SBA offers a three-step process for disaster loans explained here. The application is available here.

Louisiana Economic Development also is offering COVID-19: Business Resources, an online guide to assistance available for impacted businesses. Look for updates to the guide at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Counseling

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health offers free counseling services via its Keep Calm Through COVID Hotline. The crisis phone line provides trained, compassionate counselors to support Louisianans through this difficult time. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.