Guidelines for Applicants

WHO CAN APPLY?

Our organisation helps professional actors who are unable to work because of an accident, sickness or old age.

If you are a dancer, a singer or a variety performer or if you are a member of the theatrical profession and have children under 19 there are other charities which may be able to help you. Please phone the office for advice on which charities these are.

CAN WE HELP STUDENTS?

The Fund cannot provide help with either course fees or living expenses for drama students.

HOW TO FILL IN THE FORM

Please fill in the form carefully. If you miss sections out it will hold up consideration of your application, as we will have to ask you for the missing information. Please give full details of your professional career. Do send in a photograph and Spotlight entry if you have one and a detailed C.V.

WHEN WILL MY APPLICATION BE CONSIDERED?

The Fund meets once a month on the last Thursday of the month. Please make sure your application reaches the offices by the Friday before a meeting. This is to allow time for us to check your application and prepare the papers for the meeting.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED EMERGENCY HELP?

If you have an emergency and need your application to be considered before the next Council meeting please contact the office on 0207 836 6378 for advice.

WHAT KIND OF HELP MIGHT I RECEIVE?

The Fund pays allowances of up to £20 per week, in exceptional cases £30 per week.

The Fund may also pay T.V. licence bills, phone bills, insurance costs and transport costs.

The Fund may also provide one off grants to meet particular needs especially when these arise from ill health. Grants have been made for items such as furniture, wheelchairs, household equipment and minor modifications to a beneficiary’s own home.

The Fund may also pay for convalescence at Denville Hall (the actors’ nursing home in Middlesex) and may also help with the costs of long term care in nursing homes.

The Council is unlikely to pay off credit card debts or debts to a bank. It is also unlikely to pay for private dental treatment or private medical treatment, which should be covered by the N.H.S., although such applications will be considered.

HOW LONG WILL THE HELP LAST?

The Council pays allowances for either 13 or 26 weeks. At the end of that time your case will go back to the Council for them to decide if the help should continue. You will be asked to write and confirm that your circumstances have not changed.

Once a year you will be asked to complete a new form and to send in an up to date doctor’s letter, if this is relevant to your situation.

IS MY APPLICATION CONFIDENTIAL?

Applications remain confidential. From time to time we may approach other theatrical charities on your behalf. We ask your permission to do this. We expect other charities to maintain the same high standard of confidentiality that the A.B.F. does.

DO I NEED TO SEND IN ANY OTHER INFORMATION?

If you are applying because you are in poor health or have had an accident, please send in a recent doctor’s letter, which gives details of your condition. If you have any letters from the Benefit Agency confirming your level of benefit or giving reasons for the amount that you receive from them that would also be helpful.

Willie Bicket
General Secretary
Actors’ Benevolent Fund
6 Adam Street
London
WC2N 6AD