The spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear. The PRS Members’ Fund is here to reassure PRS members that we will continue to offer our services and support, wherever possible.
Unfortunately, we are unable to compensate for any loss of earnings.
The global Covid-19 situation has put a strain on all our daily lives, especially for those who work in the music industry and already have an uncertain income and career. We know from calls already being received that many PRS members are worried about the impact of the virus on their well-being and finances, especially having to self-isolate and take time off work.
Below are some useful resources on how to stay informed with the latest updates as well as to how the Fund may be able to support you.
STAY INFORMED
To stay updated with the latest guidance from the Government follow the advice here.
In order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 observe the advice on the NHS website here.
Some of the most important actions to take are:
- Hygiene precautions
- Feeling unwell / self-isolation
- Travel advice
WAYS WE CAN HELP
- We provide support and advice to PRS members and their families who are struggling financially, physically or emotionally and are in need of help.
- Unfortunately, we are not able to replace any loss of earnings caused by the current Covid-19 crisis.
- ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: we require that applicants have held PRS membership for at least seven years or have earned £500 in royalties for us to consider their request.
You can find more about us on our website www.prsmembersfund.com
If you need help get in touch! Call +44(0) 20 3741 4067 or contact us at fund@prsformusic.com
We treat every application in the strictest of confidence and will offer appropriate help once we’ve considered individual income, expenditure and circumstances.
- KEY AREAS OF SUPPORT:
- Sheltered housing
- Financial support
- Crisis grants
- Career change advice
- Mental health support
- Physical health assessment
- Winter heating scheme
WE CANNOT HELP WITH
- Compensation for any loss of earnings
- The costs of buying a home
- Promotion costs of any commercial venture
EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
Applications for the Emergency Relief Fund are now closed. We’re pleased to say that the Fund raised £2.1m and helped over 4,000 members in need.
Please keep an eye on this page for further developments.
ACCESS TO BENEFITS
If you are prevented form working because you may be a risk to public health, or if you need to self-isolate, you may be able to apply for sick pay or benefits from the Government.
The government has confirmed that Statutory Sick Pay will be made available from day one for those affected by Coronavirus when self-isolating, instead of day four.
Statutory Sick Pay will be paid to all those who choose to self-isolate, even if they don’t have symptoms.
if you are unable to claim Statutory Sick Pay, you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and/or Universal Credit. The Department for Work & Pensions have stated that self-employed claimants on Universal Credit who are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of Coronavirus will not have a Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time while affected. More info here.
For those that do not qualify for Statutory Sick Pay, such as gig-economy workers, self-employed people and those on zero-hours contracts, please consult the Department for Work and Pensions latest guidance.
You can also use HMRC’s online checker to find out if you can make a claim for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. (click here)
www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
USEFUL RESOURCES
CORONAMUSICIANS
A collaboration between Help Musicians, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, The Ivors Academy, the Music Managers Forum, the Music Producers Guild, the Musicians’ Union, and UK Music, who are grateful for the support of many others in the music industry. This page has been created to be a central source of support and advice for all musicians during the coronavirus period.
MUSIC SUPPORT
www.musicsupport.org/resources
www.musicsupport.org/thrive-app
Music Support’s online 12 Step support group meeting. The mental health charity Music Support is currently hosting a weekly online support group meeting for those in the music business who are members of any 12 Step fellowship. They feel it is imperative for people who are working on a program of recovery to come together to share their experience, strength and hope with others. This is not a 12 Step meeting. These support group meetings are for support and encouragement, medical/psychological advice will not be given. If you are interested in attending, send an email to helpline@musicsupport.org
PRS FOR MUSIC
www.prsformusic.com/c/help-through-covid-19
PRS FOUNDATION
MUSICIANS UNION
www.musiciansunion.org.uk/coronavirus
AIM
www.aim.org.uk/#/news/aim-crisis-fund-opens-to-wider-applications
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
BPI
www.bpi.co.uk/news-analysis/covid-19-useful-information/
INCORPORATED SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS
https://www.ism.org/advice-centre/coronavirus-listing
MUSIC MANAGERS FORUM
https://themmf.net/2020/03/10/coronavirus-updated-information/
UK MUSIC
https://www.ukmusic.org/covid-19/
OUR PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
- MENTAL HEALTH: Help Musicians’ Music Minds Matter
- DEBT MANAGEMENT: StepChange Debt Charity
- HOUSING: Shelter
- PHYSICAL HEALTH: BAPAM
DONATIONS
We are able to help members and their families in genuine need thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Every penny donated goes towards grants and allow us to continue to deliver our work, especially during these exceptional times.
Now more than ever, music lovers can effectively contribute to support those artists who changed lives with their music. With the cancellation of gigs to attend, you can support us by donating the cost of a ticket.
If you wish to donate to the PRS Emergency Relief Fund and to the PRS Members’ Fund, we accept online donations through JustGiving – www.justgiving.com/prsformusic
If you would like to make a major donation or leave a legacy, visit www.prsmembersfund.com/donate and find out more on how support our work. We will be happy to discuss the next steps with you.
Hard times call for awesome music.
