COVID-19 Resources for Freelancers, Workers & Artists

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Resources for Freelancers, Workers and Artists

 

  • NYC Vaccine for All: New Yorkers with comorbidities and underlying conditions can make appointments at state-run mass vaccination sites. For a full list of eligible groups, visit the State's website. Eligible New Yorkers can find vaccination locations and make appointments online at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or by calling 877-VAX4NYC for assistance in multiple languages. For the latest information, please consult the City’s Vaccine Command Center.

  • #BwayVax: Live performance/film/TV workers can get vaccinated via The Actors Fund at The Broadway Vaccination Site starting April 14. To schedule an appointment, please call 917-281-5937 or email vaccines@actorsfund.org to speak with someone who can help you.

  • Cultural Institutions and City of New York employees COVID Vaccine Eligibility information (as of March 17, 2021)

  • MOME and the Office of Nightlife held a "Town Call" for NYC Arts, Entertainment, Hospitality and Nightlife workers (January 22, 2021). MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo hosted representatives from Small Business Administration-New York, NYC Department of Small Business Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, NYC Human Resources Administration, the , Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning, and the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

  • The Office of Nightlife held a "Town Call" for Hospitality Workers (December 15, 2020). Representatives from the NYC Department of Health, Test & Trace Corps, Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Street Activity Permit Office and the Freelancers Union participated.

  • The Office of Nightlife held a Public Health and Dining Guidelines Town Call (November 18, 2020), with representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Test & Trace, Small Businesses Services, and other City agencies.

  • MOME and the Office of Nightlife held a Town Call" about current guidelines for indoor and outdoor dining (October 20, 2020), with representatives from Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Transportation, Department of Small Business Services, Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, Office of Special Enforcemen, Department of Buildings, and Fire Department.

  • MOME held a "Town Call" for Employees, Freelancers and Artists in Film/TV, Music, Theatre, Advertising, Publishing, Digital Content and Nightlife (April 30, 2020). MOME Commissioner, Anne del Castillo, hosted representatives from NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning, and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).   

  • MOME Nightlife Town Calls for Workers and Freelancers: Office of Nightlife held a "Town Call" for workers and freelancers ofthe nightlife community, featuring representatives from Labor Relations at the Mayor's Office, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, the US Small Business Administration the and the Freelancers Union. All Town Calls are available on the Office of Nightlife website. Additional Resources for Nightlife Community.

  • Help Now NYC offers assistance including a list of resources for those who may be unemployed due to COVID-19.

  • ACCESSNYC is a city-run portal for NYC residents to determine their eligibility for more than 30 economic programs and benefits.

  • Department of Consumer and Worker Protection provides updates on NYC worker laws and rights, including paid sick leave.

  • NYC Financial Empowerment Centers offer free, secure and confidential financial counseling over the phone. You can book an appointment at http://nyc.gov/TalkMoney.

  • Human Resources Association provides information about essential benefits, such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance.

  • GetCoveredNYC helps New Yorkers enroll in health insurance with dedicated specialists who can assist you in your language. Complete the form to receive free health insurance enrollment assistance from a specialist. You can also call 311 or text CoveredNYC (SeguroNYC en Español) to 877877. The deadline for health insurance enrollment has been extended to May 15, 2020.

  • Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs provides services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Questions can be answered via a hotline available at (212) 788-7654 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and by emailing AskMOIA@cityhall.nyc.gov.

  • The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities launched a webpage for New Yorkers with Disabilities during COVID-19 with information on food supply and delivery, social security / Medicaid benefits, home healthcare services and more.


  • The State issued new guidelines for reopening in New York City (as of March 20, 2021):
    • As of March 19, indoor dining will expand to 50% capacity.
    • Starting March 22, the social gathering limits change as follows: Public spaces - Indoors: 100 people, Outdoors: 200 people; Residences: Indoors: 10 people (no change), Outdoors: 25 people.
    • Also on March 22, indoor fitness classes and dance studios can begin reopening statewide at 33% capacity with health screening and contact information required at sign-in.
    • Starting March 26, indoor family and entertainment centers and places of amusement can reopen at 25% capacity.
    • Starting April 1, large performing arts and sports venues can reopen. Outdoor venues with 2,500+ capacity are capped at 20%; indoor venues with 1,500+ capacity are capped at 10%.
    • Starting April 2, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. If all attendees present proof of negative test prior to entry, capacity can increase up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors.
    • Starting April 5, the 11 p.m. curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11 p.m. curfew for food and beverage establishments and the 12 a.m. curfew for catered events will remain in effect.
    • Starting April 9, outdoor amusement parks can reopen at 33% capacity. Amusement parks must submit reopening plans with health protocols to the New York City Health Department.

  • NYC Department of Veterans Services offers the most up-to-date information from Federal, State, and City agencies is available through a list of resources to keep NYC veterans informed and prepared during the COVID-19 crisis.

  • The New York State website offers updates and resources concerning COVID-19 including information on paid sick leave, testing and more.

  • New York State Office of Mental Health offers resources and support for New Yorkers experiencing anxiety about COVID-19.

  • Freelancers Union has created a Freelancers Relief Fund. The fund provides financial assistance of up to $1,000 per household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs, including food/food supplies, utility payments, and cash assistance for income loss.

  • Freelancers Union also offers a Member Survey to gauge how COVID-19 has affected workers. MOME will be working with Freelancers Union to review responses from New York City and communicate feedback to City, State and federal government.

  • The New York State Department of Labor has updated their unemployment application so New Yorkers can apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance without having to apply for traditional unemployment insurance first and get denied. This change is intended to allow for more efficient processing of claims..