PAGE UPDATED: April 2021
Help Musicians is a charity that has been supporting professional musicians for 100 years. Since March 2020, we have been doing all we can to support the tens of thousands of musicians who are falling through the gaps in government support and are really struggling to survive.
Financial Hardship Funding
Our Financial Hardship Funding provides financial support to professional musicians.
Funding is open to self-employed musicians who do not qualify for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme or unemployed professional musicians who are unable to make ends meet.
For full eligibility criteria please read the guide notes below. Further information can be found in our online FAQs.
How to apply
Please review the three application routes below and apply according to your circumstances.
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Route 1: I am receiving or applying for Universal Credit
This route is for professional musicians who are receiving, or have applied, to Universal Credit and are still struggling to make ends meet. Eligible applicants will receive a monthly top-up payment from the time their application is successful to September 2021. The amount offered will be dependent on individual circumstances.
Please read these guide notes to ensure you are eligible and understand the process. Applications can be made here.
- Route 2: I am not eligible for Universal Credit but am experiencing significant financial hardship and struggling to make ends meet
Eligible applicants will receive a monthly top-up payment from the time their application is successful to September 2021. The amount offered will be dependent on individual circumstances.
Please read these guide notes to ensure you are eligible and understand the process. Applications can be made here.
- Route 3: I have complex needs that go beyond financial hardship and would like to speak with a caseworker
These may include long-term health issues, complicated domestic circumstances or complex financial situations.
Please apply directly to Health and Welfare team by emailing help@helpmusicians.org.uk.
Access enquiries and contacts
If you require support to fill in your application please contact hardshipfund@helpmusicians.org.uk with the subject line ‘Access enquiry’.
For any other queries that cannot be answered by the guidance notes or the FAQs, please email hardshipfund@helpmusicians.org.uk with the subject line ‘Application enquiry’.
The website coronamusicians.info is regularly updated with information for musicians in response to the outbreak. The site has information on the latest government advice, where musicians can access financial, legal and health support, grants for creative activity and signposting to essential services.
The Musicians’ Union have a website page dedicated to information on coronavirus here, and ISM has a page here.
Help Musicians runs a support line called Music Minds Matter available any time of day or night for a listening ear; it doesn’t have to be a crisis. We have trained advisors that are here to listen, support and help at any time. Through calling, eligible musicians can access free face-to-face or telephone counselling, or online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). You can call 0808 802 8008 (24hrs free support line).
Advice on debt management:
You can access debt advice and support through StepChange on: 0800 138 1111 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-4pm.
If you require advice about business related debts you can call the Business Debt Line on: 0800 197 6026 Monday to Friday: 9am - 8pm.
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