The MPIPHP Announces Eligibility Extension To Unemployed Film Workers During Strike

TV & Film

Aug 3

The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes have caused several productions to cease. However, this has caused several people working on these productions to be unemployed, thus risking their health care eligibility. To solve this issue, the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans has announced that it will extend eligibility to those who would have otherwise not had enough hours to qualify for benefits. The MPIPHP announced on Monday that members would be able to take out a one-time “hardship withdrawal” of up to $20,000 or 20% of their defined-contributed retirement plans. This is a similar measure to what the MPIPHP did during the COVID-19 pandemic which displaced several film workers.

Funds for the MPIPHP have been affected by the strike, however. Mike Miller, vice president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said that members recorded 18 million fewer hours of work through mid-July compared to this same period last year. This translates to a loss of more than $200 million in contributions. Members would ordinarily have to work 400 hours in six months to qualify for health insurance. However, members will be credited up to 201 hours if their qualifying period expired on July 22nd. There are also plans to give workers up to 134 and 67 hours if their periods expired on May 20th and June 24th. To receive these benefits, workers must have been actively enrolled during that period. Plan CEO David Asplund said this regarding these changes:

“MPIHP is in the process of identifying eligible participants and implementing the credit/grant of hours…Participants who are eligible will receive a letter informing them of the hours that have been credited/granted.”

The strikes continue to make waves throughout the industry and beyond. Hopefully, an agreement will be reached soon.

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