The Federal Government has been pushing out trillions of dollars over the past few weeks in an effort to stabilize the U.S. economy during this turbulent time.

Watchdog groups, like the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG), have been calling for real-time transparency to know where the money is going and which companies are getting it.

Now, at least one federal authority, the Federal Reserve System, has announced it will answer that call. The Fed has promised it will begin publishing the names of those corporations receiving assistance under its emergency programs on a monthly basis.

“Honestly, it was pretty incredible that the Federal Reserve agreed to this kind of disclosure,” said R.J. Cross with U.S. PIRG. “I am hoping that that level of transparency will be carried forward to all the agencies in the CARES Act.”

The Fed’s move comes amid growing concern around the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). A week ago, reports revealed at least a handful of large publicly-traded companies had received PPP loans. The fast food chain Shake Shack, with a market capitalization or value of nearly $1 billion, was one of them. Shake Shack, though, was also one of the first companies to return its PPP money, which amounted to $10 million.

However, after initial concerns over some larger companies receiving PPP loans intended for much smaller businesses, a data analytic company, FactSquared, used its resources to dig through some Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Publicly-traded companies are required to report “material events” to investors and getting millions of dollars in loan money from the federal government would be a material event. So, FactSquared, decided to go through thousands of SEC filings, and was able to compile a report that revealed far more larger companies received PPP loans than initially thought.

FactSquared found at least $900 millions in forgivable small business loans went to more that 240 public companies. For example, The Lakers basketball franchise received $5 million and one luxury hotel chain was able to treat each of its hotels as an individual business and applied for 117 loans, getting at least $40 million so far.

That luxury hotel chain, Ashford Hospitality Trust, plans to keep all the funds, according to a recent statement, while the Lakers and more than a dozen other businesses have committed to returning their PPP loan money. Combined, amongst 15 businesses that have stated they will return their PPP loan money, more than $116 million is expected to be return.

“The fact that some companies are saying ‘oops, our bad’, this gets back to the purpose of transparency and why this type of information should be released,” said Bill Frischling with FactSquared.

FactSquared was only able to find less than 1 percent of the companies that took PPP loans through the public SEC filings, but its report is now being used as a real-time example of why real-time transparency is needed.

“It doesn’t do us any good three months down the line to have found out this list of companies, that money would’ve already been spent,” said Cross. “It is because this transparency happened so quickly that we are able to course correct, and companies can give that money and the treasury can readjust its rules moving forward, so that way, this money can actually help those it was intended to help.”

The SBA has not yet agreed to release the information around all businesses that receive a PPP loan. However, the treasury department has now announced every company that got more than $2 million will be fully audited, but companies have until May 7 to return the money to avoid that.

As many Americans began receiving stimulus checks on Friday, the IRS said it will launch a "Get My Payment" tool on the IRS website starting Monday.

Although the first batch of payments went out on Friday, the IRS said it could take weeks for some to receive their payment.

“Even though the tax season is in full swing, IRS employees again worked around the clock to quickly deliver help to millions of Americans struggling to cope with this historic pandemic,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The payments will be delivered automatically to taxpayers even as the IRS continues delivering regular tax refunds. We urge people to visit IRS.gov for the latest details on the stimulus payments, other new tax law provisions and tax season updates.”

Americans making up to $75,000 a year will get a direct payment of $1,400 (couples making up to $150,000 a year will get $2,800). Heads of households making up to $112,500 annually also will receive the full $1,400.

Those making $75,000 to $80,000 ($150,000 to $160,000 for couples) will get a prorated check. Those making over $80,000 ($160,000 for couples) will not receive a check.

Those who filed 2019 or 2020 taxes, receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefit, or received a previous stimulus check will be automatically included in this round of stimulus if they meet income requirements.

The IRS says that for those who received the first two stimulus checks but didn't receive a payment via direct deposit, they will generally receive a check or, in some instances, a prepaid debit card (referred to as an “EIP Card). A payment will not be added to an existing EIP card mailed for the first or second round of stimulus payments.

INDIANAPOLIS —

An Indianapolis man suspected of killing three adults and a child told police he fatally shot the four victims after he and his girlfriend argued because he wanted a share of her federal COVID-19 relief money, according to a court document and one of the girlfriend's relatives.

Malik Halfacre, 25, was being held Tuesday at the Marion County Jail on four preliminary counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder and robbery. He has not yet been formally charged in Saturday's shootings, which police have said occurred following a heated argument in a home where officers found the bodies of Anthony Johnson, 35, Dequan Moore, 23, Tomeeka Brown, 44, and 7-year-old Eve Moore. Halfacre's girlfriend was critically wounded.

A probable cause affidavit filed Monday in Marion County Superior Court reveals more details about the argument. It says that Halfacre told officers following his arrest Sunday evening that he and his girlfriend — identified only as "J.M." — "were arguing because he wanted some of her stimulus check."

"Mr. Halfacre admitted to shooting all of the deceased individuals in the house. He also said that after everyone was shot, he took the money, J.M.'s purse, and her car and left the scene," with his 6-month-old daughter, according to the affidavit.

The baby was later found unharmed at the home of Halfacre's sister, according to the affidavit.

Wendy Johnson, a cousin of Halfacre's girlfriend, told WXIN-TV that the day before the shootings Halfacre demanded half of his girlfriend's $1,400 pandemic stimulus check, but her cousin refused.

"She had just got her money, and he wanted half of her money," she told the station, citing what her cousin had said after the encounter. "She said, 'No, you don't deserve any of this. I work. I take care of our child. You don't do anything.'"

Johnson said her cousin had offered Halfacre $450 of her stimulus check but that he replied, "I'm gonna get that money."

Halfacre's sister told officers that when her brother came to her home and dropped off the baby, he also "admitted to killing four people and told her details about how it happened," the affidavit states.

Officers later found Halfacre in the attic of a friend's home about 4.5 miles from the shooting scene, police said.

The Marion County Prosecutor's Office is still investigating and does not expect to make a charging decision before Thursday, according to spokeswoman Destiny Burgos.

Families throughout the United States reported only getting half of the economic impact payments they were expecting this week. This revelation comes days after the Biden administration announced that 90 million payments were distributed.

The $1,400 economic impact payments were to provide qualifying Americans earning an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, while those making from $75,000 to $80,000 would earn a prorated check.

For couples filing jointly, the payments would be $2,800 for those making $150,000 or less.

Dependents also earned $1,400 if their parents or caregivers qualified.

For Jesse Rodriguez, he was expecting a $7,000 check this week. Instead, he received $3,500.

“My bank (Chase) tells me that they deposited what was sent to them and the IRS can't seem to give a straight response either,” Rodriguez said.

A spokesperson for Chase Bank confirmed that the bank has deposited the amount it has received from the IRS. Other banks have also confirmed that they have processed the full amount given to them.

There have been so many Americans that have not received their full stimulus check, a Facebook group was created this week that has almost 5,000 members.

An IRS spokesperson told Scripps that there is “nothing systematic” that is preventing full payments from going to Americans. The spokesperson noted that the 90 million payments only reflect slightly over half of all economic impact payments that the federal government will distribute.

The spokesperson said that one reason some are not seeing their full payment is due to changes in the number of dependents. A number of separated parents reported that they switch every which parents claim their children on taxes every year.

The spokesperson noted that if Parent A claimed a child in 2019 and if it is Parent B’s turn to claim the child in 2020 but had yet to file their 2020 taxes, the stimulus check would go to Parent A.

Another reason for not getting the full amount could be due to changes in income.

The spokesperson noted that there will be an opportunity for those owed a full stimulus check to claim the rest of their check in the future.

“You’re not going to miss out on that payment,” the spokesperson said.

The IRS will have a rebate process on the 2021 tax return. Those tax returns, however, won’t be filed until nearly a year for now.

In the meantime, the IRS spokesperson recommends continuing to check the “Get My Payment” tab on the IRS website.

“Your money may still be coming,” the spokesperson said.

Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @jjboggs or on Facebook.

As many Americans who do not file taxes and are on federal programs such as Social Security have not received a stimulus check, the IRS said Tuesday checks will be disbursed to them this week.

The IRS added that most will receive their payment by April 7.

“If no additional issues arise, the IRS currently expects to complete that work and to begin processing these payment files at the end of this week,” the IRS said in a statement Tuesday. “Because the majority of these payments will be disbursed electronically – through direct deposits and payments to existing Direct Express cards – they would be received on the official payment date of April 7.”

Additionally, the IRS stated that the “Get My Payment” tool will not be updated until April 3 or 4.

Tuesday’s announcement affects those who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) beneficiaries who did not file a 2019 or 2020 tax return or did not use the Non-Filers tool. The IRS did not have details for those who are VA beneficiaries, adding that payments “could” be processed by mid-April.

As of last week, 127 million Americans had received a stimulus check, largely going to those who file taxes. Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman demanded that the Social Security Administration transfer to the IRS the information needed to administer the payments to federal beneficiaries.

On Thursday, Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul explained that there were some bureaucratic hang-ups that caused the payments to take longer than for those who file a tax return with the IRS.

The Social Security Administration said it has been working with the IRS to arrange a “reimbursable agreement” in order to administer payments to those on Social Security. Saul said that the Social Security Administration completed sending the IRS files of recipients last Thursday.

“(Social Security) SSA’s public service mission is squarely focused on many of those who are most economically-vulnerable in our society and we owe it to our beneficiaries to ensure they receive their (Economic Impact Payments) EIPs right away,” Saul said. “In fact, it was the substantial efforts of SSA that successfully overcame the fact that the IRS did not have a mechanism to automatically identify Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, some of the most financially insecure people in America. It was SSA that pushed the prior Administration and Congress to allow us to send to IRS a file of those individuals, who do not receive forms SSA-1099, so that IRS could automatically issue EIPs to them.”

Most Americans making up to $75,000 a year are getting a direct payment of $1,400 (couples making up to $150,000 a year will get $2,800). Heads of households making up to $112,500 annually also will receive the full $1,400.

Those making $75,000 to $80,000 ($150,000 to $160,000 for couples) will get a prorated check. Those making over $80,000 ($160,000 for couples) will not receive a check.

The IRS is using “adjusted gross income” to determine income eligibility for payments. If you have not filed a 2020 tax return, the IRS will use 2019 tax information to determine eligibility.

Contact Justin Boggs on Twitter @jjboggs or on Facebook.

Jereme Alley never intended to open a small business in the middle of a pandemic, but with most of his family’s savings now gone, he is one of thousands of Americans stuck in limbo, waiting for a loan from the federal government.

“We’re just waiting. There’s no information,” the 33-year-old said while standing inside his tattoo parlor in Laconia, New Hampshire. “It makes everything more stressful, because you have no idea what’s happening.”

This retired Marine began renovating a small storefront in this lakeside town at the beginning of March in hopes of pursuing his dream of owning his own tattoo shop. Phoenix Tattoo, as he’s calling it, has customers waiting to come in, but with mandatory stay-at-home restrictions still in place, the shop is empty.

Having spent nearly $20,000 of his own savings, Alley applied for a small business loan as part of the federal stimulus package, but he says he hasn’t heard anything. Meanwhile, he still has to pay rent and utilities for his store with no money coming in.

“It’s a lot of pressure, and there’s nothing we can do,” he said. “And that’s what sucks; we’re just waiting for somebody in Washington or local government to decide what will happen with our fate.”

Like countless small businesses across the country waiting for promised assistance, Alley says even a few hundred dollars would help him stay afloat until customers are allowed back.

He worries about other locally-owned businesses in this small lakeside town that’s nestled near the base of the White Mountains.

“A lot of them are going to go out of business, and it’s really sad,” he said.

For now, the only thing Alley can do is wait.

“My hope is we get some kind of stimulus help or relief help, so we don’t fall more behind,” he added.

These are challenging times, and it’s reflected in alarming numbers. Numbers like 27,112, which represents how many people who have died from COVID-19 in the United States, or 618,923, which is the number of people who have been diagnosed with the virus around the country.

Last week, the U.S. hit an all-time high number of 16 million, that being the number of Americans who have to filed for unemployment since the pandemic began to spread.

“Everyone is having a hard time,” said Igor Popov with Apartment List.

Apartment List recently conducted a nationwide survey among renters and homeowners, and that has revealed other concerning numbers.

“One in 4 renters couldn’t make their full rent for April, and 1 in 4 homeowners couldn’t make their full mortgage payment,” said Popov. “Half of the people that couldn’t make it in full couldn’t make a payment at all.”

That’s an estimated 80 million Americans who struggled to pay one of their most essential bills, and that survey is actually more optimistic than one done by the National Multifamily Housing Council. NMHC’s study showed as many as 1 in 3 Americans were unable to pay rent in April.

“One of the things we found was that among those who weren’t able to pay their April rent in full, almost half those had reached some sort of agreement with their landlord or property manager to either defer payments or have reduced payments,” said Popov. “Also, 1 in 9 renters actually said that their landlord proactively lowered their rent for April.”

With stimulus checks getting out to millions of Americans this week, Apartment List found many people plan to use those checks to pay their backed up or next month’s rent or mortgage.

However, should shelter-in-place mandates continue into May and June, Apartment List found we could see 27 percent of renters and 13 percent of homeowners unable to pay their rent or mortgages.

“I think that what is becoming apparent is that the sooner that the conversation can begin the better,” said Popov. “We are finding that a lot of landlord renter pairs are able to work out arrangements.”

The same applies for homeowners and their lenders. Federally backed mortgages are allow people to defer or reduce their mortgages up to a year, while private lenders are offering flexibility, too. The key here, is also, contacting your lender as early as possible.