Freelancers Coronavirus Relief Fund Offers $1K To Out-Of-Work

BROOKLYN, NY — A relief fund aims to put up to $1,000 into the hands of New York City freelancers who lost work as the new coronavirus spread.

The Brooklyn-headquartered Freelancers Union announced Thursday it launched the direct aid fund. It will provide independent workers with money to pay for essential expenses like groceries, utilities and rent if they lost money during the coronavirus outbreak, a release states.

And there's a better-than-fair chance the new coronavirus affected a given freelancer's livelihood. The union found more than 80 percent of freelancers it surveyed reported losing thousands of dollars in income because of shutdowns.

"For those who live gig-to-gig, waiting weeks or months for government aid to come through just isn’t an option," wrote union President Rafael Espinal. "Freelancers Relief Fund will get cash in their hands now to help with essential expenses."

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Espinal, a former Brooklyn councilman, called the coronavirus the biggest threat to freelancers' livelihoods in modern history. Workers such as musicians, makeup artists, actors, among others, are restricted from doing their jobs because of restrictions that closed businesses like bars, barbershops and other industries deemed non-essential.

The relief fund gives financial assistance of up to $1,000 per household affected through illness, lost work or unexpected caregiving responsibilities, a release states.

Donations from Fiverr, Upwork, Wethos and AND.CO helped fill the fund and the union is asking others who are able to donate at donate.workingtoday.org.

Applications begin April 2, according the fund's website. More information can be found here.

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