Help Musicians announces Coronavirus Financial Hardship Funding phase three

UK organisation Help Musicians has launched the third phase of its Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund.

The fund has been set up, Help Musicians says, to support “professional musicians who fall through the gaps of government support or are unable to make ends meet”. The latest initiative offers support to successful applicants through to March 2021.

This particular phase of funding is targeted at self-employed musicians who do not qualify for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and unemployed professional musicians who are unable to make ends meet in the face of further lockdowns and ongoing restrictions. 

Help Musicians says: “For those who are eligible, to the extent that funds allow, the charity will offer grant payments from the time their application is successful to March 2021 to top-up Universal Credit payments where relevant. Where an applicant does not qualify for Universal Credit but is still experiencing significant financial hardship, an assessment will be made based on individual circumstances.”

Since March, Help Musicians has supported over 18,000 musicians with more than £11m in financial hardship funding across the UK. Part of the funding for this round has come from Arts Council England, which has contributed £1 million. 

You can find out how to make an application here.

Help Musicians has also been running a free-to-use helpline for musicians struggling amid the pandemic.

The funding being offered by Help Musicians is particularly needed in the wake of research recently carried out by the organisation which found that 55% of professional musicians are earning no money due to COVID-19.