Skip to main content
All CollectionsUpdates Related to Ukraine & Russia
Updates Related to Ukraine & Russia
Updates Related to Ukraine & Russia
N
Written by Natasha Weyant
Updated over a week ago

As the situation evolves we know you may have questions about your Storyblocks portfolio and payment availability. If you still have a concern not listed, please contact us at partner@storyblocks.com.

This page was last updated March 14, 2022 at 4:00 pm EST.



  • Can I put my payments on hold?

    • At this time, you may put your payments on hold through your contributor dashboard, or you may contact us at partner@storyblocks.com and we will take care of it for you.

      • Please note: if you put your payments on hold your contributor dashboard will reflect earnings with the default 30% tax rate. Once you are prepared to receive payments again, please head to your dashboard and make new selections to receive payments. Your new documents will be reviewed, and once approved you will be in queue for the next payment distribution on the 15th of each month. At that time you will receive all back earnings with the appropriate tax rate for your location. See our tax center for details.

  • Can I still change my payment method?

    • At this time, you can change your payment method on your contributor dashboard. Supported payment types can be found here. Changes to payment methods must be submitted by the 5th of the month. Updated documents will then be reviewed and if approved you will be in queue for the next payout on the 15th.

  • I receive payments into a Payoneer account. Will those payments continue?

    • At this time, we are still able to fund most Payoneer accounts, pending your deposit account. Sanctions may prevent Payoneer from transferring funds to your designated financial institution. This is subject to change. If you have questions on your specific account, please contact Payoneer. Please note, on March 5, 2022 Payoneer announced it was suspending the ability of new customers in Russia to access their services. More information can be found here - please contact Payoneer with further questions.

  • I receive payments into a PayPal account. Will those payments continue?

    • On March 5, 2022, the President & CEO of PayPal announced the company was suspending services in Russia. The announcement named only Russia. This is subject to change. If you have questions on your specific account, please contact PayPal.

  • I receive payments through wire transfer to my bank account. Will those payments continue?

    • Banking sanctions approved by President Biden may prevent you from receiving payments, if your financial institution is affected. If you are un-payable due to sanctions, your earnings will remain intact in USD and once you are payable all back earnings will be distributed. More information can be found here. If you are not payable due to these sanctions, your Partner Pool earnings will continue to be updated on your dashboard, reflected in USD. All of this is subject to change.

  • I received my Partner Pool payout a week early, what happened?

    • On March 8, 2022 Storyblocks issued a one-time early payment of the Partner Pool to all contributors. Typically, payments are distributed on the 15th of each month. This typical payment cycle will continue in the future. The payment distributed on March 8 was a one-time issuance. If you were not payable when this payment was issued your earnings are still intact. When you become payable again, all previous earnings will be distributed to you at that time.

  • What action is Storyblocks taking?

    • Storyblocks stands with all of the innocent people affected by the unjust acts currently taking place in Ukraine. We wholeheartedly support those in our community who are impacted by this violent crisis.

      Storyblocks is taking numerous actions in response:

      • We are making a $25,000 donation to the International Committee of the Red Cross, an organization that can make a difference on the ground in providing aid, supplies and humanitarian support.

      • We are doing everything possible to support our creators and ensure they are compensated for their work, while remaining in compliance with required federal sanctions. We seek to support all of our contributors and will not create any internal penalties to any single group.

    To learn more about these specific actions and more, we encourage you to

  • I recently submitted new tax forms but they have not yet been approved.

    • If you recently submitted new tax forms, please ensure your address in portal matches the address listed on your tax forms to avoid any delays on processing your payments. In the event we have questions about your documents we will contact you.

  • What documentation do I need to submit to prove I am not located in a sanctioned region?

    • Our payment provider requires a valid copy of your valid ID (driver’s license or passport) and a recent proof of address (dated within the last 30 days). No exemptions will be accepted. For proof of address, a bank statement or a utility bill referencing your name and address can be accepted.

  • Can I change my address to a non-sanctioned address?

    • At this time, you can change your address if you have moved to a non-sanctioned area. You will need to submit documentation (see previous question) in which a thorough explanation and due diligence check will have to be completed. This thorough process will take additional time to complete. The U.S. government takes the skirting of sanctions seriously and they are finable offenses even for one payment. No exemptions can be made. This process is subject to change.

  • I’m located in Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) or in Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), how am I affected?

    • All the cities, towns and municipalities located within those two regions are currently sanctioned and any contributor residing in those regions cannot be paid by Storyblocks at this time. President Biden’s Executive Order can be found here. If you live in this area, your Partner Pool earnings will continue to be updated on your dashboard, reflected in USD. All of this is subject to change.

    • UPDATE 3/14/22: With the Donetsk or Luhansk regions of Ukraine having been recently been placed under sanctions by the EU and US Department of Treasury, Payoneer will be blocking accounts associated with these regions on March 21st, 2022. They recommend withdrawing remaining funds as soon as possible. Please see their FAQ page for more information.

  • I’m no longer eligible to receive payments, is there anything I can do to reverse this?

    • At this time, Storyblocks is still able to fund most PayPal or Payoneer accounts. Please note, payments may still be subject to sanctions by location. See above information regarding changing your address. Payment availability is subject to change.

  • If I’m not payable, what happens to my earnings?

    • At this time, if you are not payable, whether voluntary or involuntary, your Partner Pool earnings will remain intact in USD until you become payable. Your portfolio is still active on the site, accruing downloads and earnings. When you become payable, you will receive all previous month’s earnings at the next available pool distribution (the 15th of each month).

  • I recently uploaded content, but cannot tag and submit it right now. What will happen to this content?

    • If you have recently uploaded content, it will be stored in your ready-to-tag tab until you are prepared to submit it. For contributors based in Ukraine or Russia, this uploaded content will not be subject to expiration deadlines.

  • I have been directly impacted by the events in Ukraine or in Russia, but I don’t see my question listed here.

    • If you are directly impacted and believe Storyblocks can help please contact us. Our support team is here to listen to feedback and answer questions. Please contact us at partner@storyblocks.com.


This page was last updated March 9, 2022 at 12:00 pm EST.

Did this answer your question?