A Message from NY President Rebecca Damon

This morning, we woke to a new day — one that was not quite what we expected. New York City, New York state, New Jersey and surrounding areas declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida. I hope you and your family and friends are safe from the effects of the storm. If you have been impacted by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Ida, please go to sagaftra.foundation/disasterrelief for information on how to apply for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and SAG-AFTRA MPPWF Disaster Relief Fund. For those who want to help, please give at sagaftra.foundation/donate and spread the word. 

New Yorkers in need can get rent relief from the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). This program provides significant economic relief to help low- and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. Eligibility criteria is available on the New York State ERAP website.

To help families during COVID, the U.S. government made changes to the Child Tax Credit. Families can get half of the fully refundable credit — worth up to $3,600 per child — as monthly payments in 2021 and the other half as a refund in 2022. Child Tax Credit payments began July 15, 2021. To get payments, you need to file a tax return even if you do not owe money. For details, please visit the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection website. 

As we approach the end of this week, may I be one of the first to wish you all a Happy Labor Day — the holiday brought to you by unions. May we all enjoy a moment to reflect on the strength and resilience of our union and the labor movement as a whole. What great power we have when we stick together. 

On a personal note, it has been an honor to serve as your New York Local president these past two terms. Time and time again, New Yorkers unite, and in that spirit of collectivism there is strength and there is power. New Yorkers are known for their strength, but it’s always with heart. 

Onward together,

Rebecca Damon
New York Local President