The "heart and soul" of MusiCares is the Emergency Financial Assistance Program that provides critical funds for music people struggling with financial, medical or personal crises. This program offers financial assistance for medical expenses including doctor, dental and hospital bills, prescriptions, addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy, treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other critical illnesses, as well as basic living expenses such as rent and utilities.

This program is available to music people who have experienced an unavoidable emergency. Eligibility consists of documented employment in the music industry for at least five years or credited contribution to six commercially released recordings or videos. Documentation can be provided in a variety of ways including liner note credits, copies of contracts, check stubs, brochures, flyers and newspaper articles.

Committed to providing prompt, confidential help to those in need, MusiCares is staffed by full-time Health and Human Service Managers in Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York. Each region has its own toll-free help line: 800.687.4227 (West Coast), 877.626.2748 (Central) and 877.303.6962 (Northeast).