The Songwriters Lifeline
Are you a songwriter, composer, musician or singer facing a work or life challenge and don’t know where to turn? We can offer counseling, support and other helpful resources. We also provide emergency financial assistance in times of pressing need or in response to catastrophic events.
The Songwriters Lifeline was created to help convey the message that the Entertainment Community Fund’s services are available for songwriters, too... songwriters like Aaron Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder, who wrote more than 2,000 songs, including 17 recorded by Elvis Presley, ran a successful music publishing business and lived his final years at The Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey.
Seeded with a generous gift by his widow, Abby Schroeder, the program was founded to assist songwriters, composers and the musicians and singers who bring their work to life, through the programs and services of the Entertainment Community Fund, including social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and secondary employment and training services.
With a focus on support and education, The Songwriters Lifeline services include:
- One-on-one counseling and referrals to helpful resources
- Support for issues around sexual harassment
- Assistance in locating legal and health services
- Information on affordable housing and advice in dealing with landlord/tenant issues
- Seminars and groups on topics such as financial wellness and coping with depression
- Emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent or medical expenses
Am I eligible?
Any songwriter, composer, musician, singer or other associated performing arts or entertainment professional may call on The Songwriters Lifeline for support, information or referrals to community agencies.
For financial assistance, we will ask for an application, documentation of your professional earnings and an interview. In general, eligibility requirements for financial assistance are:
- Five years of documented professional performing arts and entertainment earnings out of the last seven years.
- Three of the five documented years of earnings must be a minimum of $6,500 per year.
OR
- Twenty years of industry-paid employment with at least 10 years of industry earnings of $5,000 per year.
- Documented financial need.
Get in touch:
No matter where you live in the U.S., we’re here to help. Get in touch with your nearest regional office at:
Eastern Region
917.281.5919
eastern@entertainmentcommunity.org
Central Region
312.372.0989
central@entertainmentcommunity.org
Western Region
323.330.2455
western@entertainmentcommunity.org
Related Sites & Organizations
MusiCares
The Emergency Financial Assistance Program covers financial, medical and personal emergencies. Eligibility is based on at least five years in the industry or credited contribution to six commercially released recordings or videos.
Musicians Foundation
Helps professional musicians by providing emergency financial assistance in meeting current living, medical and allied expenses. All professional musicians are eligible to apply.
Music Maker Relief Foundation
Gives grants to meet basic life needs and emergency relief to people 55 years or older and rooted in a Southern musical tradition.
Jazz Foundation of America - Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund
Offers aid to elder jazz and blues musicians in crisis.
American Federation of Musicians: The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund for Disabled Musicians
Provides a modest grant to temporarily or permanently disabled musicians who are members of the American Federation of Musicians.