Chris Kerr,

Senior Editor, News,GameDeveloper.com

July 2, 2026

2 Min Read

Union members at United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA) have established the Game Worker Hardship Fund to provide a financial lifeline to struggling developers impacted by layoffs.

The fund will support game workers across the United States and Canada who have lost their jobs (or been impacted in other ways) as a result of the wave of job cuts that has swept across the video game industry in recent years.

Eligible applicants can request either a small cash sum of up to $1,000 or a larger amount ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Funds can be requested for a range of reasons, including for basic life expenses such as groceries, medical bills, and rent.

UVW-CWA stressed that applicants do not need to be a member of the union to seek financial assistance through the fund. Those who wish to support the initiative financially must join the union, however, as the fund is being financed via membership dues.

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Proceeds from an itch.io charity bundle being organized by Demonschool developer Necrosoft Games will also be used to bolster the hardship fund.

"In order to apply for this fund, fill out the application form. A team of volunteers from UVW-CWA will review your application and prioritize it based on need. If an application requires further clarification, we will reach out to you," reads a post on the UVW-CWA website, explaining how to request support.

"You may be asked to provide additional supporting evidence and to chat with an application reviewer. You will receive an email confirming whether or not you have been approved for funds. After receiving funds, we will reach out in order to document your experiences for an impact report we will make public towards the end of the year."

UVW-CWA intends to reply to applicants based on the urgency of their request, but cannot guarantee that any individual application will be approved. You can find out more about the initiative, including how to apply, on the UVW-CWA website.

About the Author

Chris Kerr

Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton.