Notwithstanding s. 960.07, if it appears to the department that such claim is one with respect to which an award probably will be made, and that either the claimant is a recipient of benefits under the federal Social Security Act or undue hardship will result to the claimant if immediate payment is not made, the department may make an emergency award to the claimant, pending a final decision in the case, on the following conditions:

1. (1) The amount of such emergency award may not exceed $1,000;
2. (2) The amount of such emergency award shall be deducted from any final award made to the claimant; and
3. (3) The amount of such emergency award which is in excess of the final award, or the full amount of the emergency award if no final award is made, shall be repaid by the claimant to the department.
4. (4) The claimant has not been adjudicated guilty of a forcible felony, as verified through a criminal history records check performed through the Florida Crime Information Center system pursuant to s. 960.045

History.--s. 1, ch. 77-452; s. 1, ch. 78-44; s. 10, ch. 80-146; s. 7, ch. 91-23; s. 5, ch. 99-373.