The Musician Health & Services Program

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible for assistance if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You are a professional or semi-professional musician (performer, recording artist, composer, arranger, DJ) who performs regularly or has three widely released recordings, or you are a professional or semi-pro music industry worker (e.g., crew, sound, lighting, etc.) or you are the close family member someone who meets these requirements:

• You are a resident of Oregon or Clark County, Washington

  And, if requesting JWF financial assistance:

• You have a serious medical or mental health condition that interferes with your ability to work within or outside the music industry

• You can demonstrate financial need -- you need help with living expenses or the costs of health care.

What We Offer

Our Musician Health & Services Program provides the following services:

• Health insurance and health care access support to qualifying musicians and industry workers who are NOT actively experiencing a serious health issue.  Examples of how we can help:

  • Applying for OHP and Marketplace insurance, and understanding changes to these programs

  • Understanding Medicare coverage and related assistance programs

  • Navigating loss of health insurance and transitioning to new insurance

  • Understanding health insurance benefits

  • Finding and establishing medical, mental, and dental health care

  • Difficulties accessing health care due to insurance issues
    

• Navigation support and financial assistance to qualifying musicians and industry workers who ARE experiencing a serious health issue:

  • Navigation Support

    JWF’s team of 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 other resources that fit your needs.  For example, we can provide guidance toward 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

  • Financial Assistance

    In addition to Navigation support, the JWF may also provide financial assistance in the form of grants. We will work with you to identify your specific needs, and based on that we offer financial assistance in two forms:

    • Living Assistance Grants.  Grant funds provided by JWF for living expenses such as rent, food, auto expenses, or utilities.  These funds are paid by JWF directly to the creditor or other third-party — for example a landlord, utility company, or auto repair shop.

    • Medical Expense Grants.  Grant funds provided by JWF for health care expenses.  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.
      

    Note: In order to receive financial assistance from JWF, applicants must pursue other potential resources related to the need, such as hospital financial assistance or Medicaid, as advised by the Navigators.  Exceptions to this policy may be considered under limited circumstances.