NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — While it may not cover long term expenses, many people in Tennessee are not only looking forward to but are relying on the stimulus check from the federal government.
As part of a $2 trillion federal emergency plan to help Americans through the economic downfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a $1,200 stimulus check will be sent primarily to bank accounts automatically soon.
Cristina Stewart, owner of Mariposas Catering, said the money will be "a drop in the bucket" with personal bills and business expenses, but she said anything is better than nothing.
She already had to go through the hurdles to file for unemployment and the federal grants to support small businesses.
"I'm waiting for that stimulus check, for sure," Stewart said. "To watch all my income just walk out the door has been completely surreal."
Her typically busy catering season has diminished as events are canceled over the next several weeks. With a new car and newly purchased equipment now untouched in a storage, the virus outbreak couldn't come at a worse time.
The space she rents from Citizens Kitchen, a communal kitchen area at Hunters Station which has remained practically empty.
"It's never this quiet unless it's late at night," she said. "Just looking at everything I started crying because I have no idea when I'll be able to cater an event again."
Josafat Emiliano is part of the arts community in Nashville and is getting paid and relying on his savings. He hopes to not only use the check to pay bills, but use it to help his peers.
"There's always people in need. There's always friends you can help and Venmo them," Emiliano said.
The first group to receive the stimulus checks is estimated to be around 50 million Americans. They'll receive the money as early as this week but it depends on how the taxes were filed in 2018 or 2019.
The IRS will send paper checks by mail by the end of the month. Some taxpayers who usually don't file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the payment. To learn more, click on this link.
