(a) Before acting on an application for compensation under this chapter, the attorney general may make an emergency award if it appears likely that:
(1) a final award will be made; and
(2) the claimant or victim will suffer undue hardship if immediate economic relief is not obtained.
(b) An emergency award may not exceed $1,500.

(c) The amount of an emergency award must be:
(1) deducted from the final award; or
(2) repaid by and recoverable from the claimant or victim to the extent the emergency award exceeds the final award.