Arts and entertainment unions and organizations have announced their support of the Mixed Earner Unemployment Assistance Act of 2020. Introduced by U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Judy Chu (D-CA), the act protects independent contractors and other self-employed American workers that are unintentionally excluded from previous COVID-19 relief bills.

Entrepreneurs, seasonal workers, gig workers, local musicians, photographers and more mixed earners in the arts and entertainment industry that make enough income as a W-2 employee are only qualifying for the traditional state unemployment benefits, which don’t consider other incomes from 1099s or other self-employment reports. As only their W-2 incomes are considered in determining the weekly base benefit amount, mixed-earners are losing vital benefits during the global pandemic.

“For many workers, the relief provided by the CARES Act is making a crucial difference in helping make ends meet during this unprecedented period of disruption. Yet due to the nature of independent work, particularly in industries like entertainment, many workers are currently excluded from Pandemic Unemployment Assistance because they earn a living through a mix of self-employment and traditional W-2 jobs,” said Rep. Schiff. “Our bill will ensure that mixed earners are no longer excluded from this critical assistance because of the nature of their employment and income.”

“The coronavirus pandemic brought the economy to a halt for millions. Fortunately, we were able to quickly respond and through the CARES Act put support into the hands of workers who need it. But our traditional system of supporting unemployed workers was not set up for non-traditional workers with mixed income, like the many artists and craftspeople in my district who supplement a W-2 with independent gig work,” said Rep. Chu. “There is no reason these workers should be penalized now for having a mixed income. I’m proud to work with my colleague Rep. Adam Schiff to make this commonsense change to recognize the various ways our constituents earn a living and ensure they are rightly compensated for that during this crisis.”

“The pandemic has exposed that our nation’s unemployment system is not designed for all workers, like music creators, leaving so many vulnerable and without assistance,” said Harvey Mason Jr., Chair and Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “The Mixed Earner Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act is a critical solution that will help so many in our community receive the fair benefits that they deserve. The Recording Academy thanks Representatives Adam Schiff and Judy Chu for their tireless efforts to ensure that all workers have equitable access to unemployment benefits as our creative community faces the long-term effects of this unprecedented crisis.”

This new legislation grants the states the option to transition eligible Mixed Earners from their state unemployment program into the federal PUA program, which will ensure equitable benefits for the recipient going forward. Under this legislation, mixed earners who earned at least $7,250 from self-employment in 2019 could amend their application to qualify for the PUA program, where all income will be aggregated to calculate a new weekly base benefit amount based on actual income.

Organizations in support of the Mixed Earner Unemployment Assistance Act of 2020 include The Authors Guild, Department for Professional Employees AFL-CIO, Freelancers Union, Future of Music Coalition, Lawyers for the Creative Arts in Chicago, Music Artists Coalition, The Recording Academy, The Recording Industry Association of America, Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and SONA.