Musician Health & Services Program

Social Services Support Team

JWF’s team of volunteer Navigators includes social workers and other professionals trained in similar fields.  After you submit your application, a JWF Navigator will contact you to begin evaluating your options for resources like health insurance, financial assistance for medical bills, food and housing assistance, and sources of income such as Social Security Disability.  By accessing existing resources like these, any potential JWF grant you may also receive will be maximized to cover other eligible expenses during your time of hardship.

The JWF navigators can work with you to identify possible insurance or assistance options, and to give ongoing guidance through application processes until an outcome is reached.  Your JWF navigator may also help you communicate with healthcare systems, such as finding providers and accessing care, dealing with medical bills, and communicating with insurance companies regarding coverage.

Financial Support Grants

In addition to social services support and guidance, the JWF may also provide financial assistance in the form of money grants. In consultation with the social services team, the applicant will identify areas of immediate and long-term financial needs.   Depending on an applicant’s specific needs, we offer financial assistance in two forms:

• Living Assistance Grants.  Grant funds provided by JWF for living expenses are called Living Assistance Grants and cover necessary living expenses, such as rent, food, auto expenses, or utilities.  These funds will be paid by JWF directly to the creditor or other third-party — the applicant’s landlord, utility company, or auto repair shop.  The JWF also may provide the applicant with gift cards to a grocery store or gas station.

• Medical Expense Grants.  Grant funds provided by JWF for medical expenses are called Medical Expense Grants.  These grants cover most expenses from licensed practitioners relating to medical, dental, alternative medicine, or mental health care.  These funds are paid directly from JWF to the healthcare provider.

• Artist Relief Campaigns. On occasion, an applicant will qualify for financial support beyond the limited grant capacity of the Musician Health & Services Program.  Under those circumstances, the JWF will undertake a targeted fundraising campaign to support the individual recipient.  

  • Thinking about starting a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for yourself or a friend?  Think again!  Raising large sums of money in private donations may have tax consequences, and may also impair your ability to get other forms of financial aid. Contact the JWF first!  Read more about the issues with private GoFundMe campaigns here.

Note: In order to receive financial assistance from JWF, applicants must pursue other potential resources, such as hospital charity care or Medicaid, as advised by the social services team.  Exceptions to this policy may be considered under limited circumstances, at the discretion of the social services team.

Statement of Non-Discrimination
The Jeremy Wilson Foundation does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status when evaluating applications for funding.