A number of organizations offer financial assistance to professional writers in severe financial distress because of illness, serious career reverses, or other catastrophes that affect their ability to work and earn. This assistance generally takes the form of open-ended, interest-free loans or outright grants to help pay medical bills, rent or mortgage, or other expenses.
A list of such organizations and other resources can be found on the website of the American Society of Journalists and Authors at http://www.asja.org/weaf/help01.php. These funds generally do not require membership in any particular organization.
In addition, ASJA has its own Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (formerly the Llewellyn Miller Fund), which aids established freelance writers facing severe difficulties. Again, ASJA membership is not required. Information is at http://www.asja.org/weaf/
