Except in a city, village or incorporated town of more than 500,000 population, when an applicant resides in the local governmental unit in which he makes application, emergency financial assistance to alleviate life-threatening circumstances or to assist the individual in attaining self-sufficiency may be given to or in behalf of the applicant. The emergency assistance so given shall be by vendor payment in an amount necessary to meet the need, up to the maximum established by the local governmental unit. Emergency assistance shall not be granted under this Section more than once to any applicant during any 12 consecutive month period. Persons currently receiving financial assistance under this Article or under any other Article of this Code shall not be eligible for emergency financial assistance under this Section. However, the amount and nature of any emergency financial assistance is not affected by the payment of any rebate authorized under Section 2201(a) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136) or under any other federal economic stimulus program created in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Persons receiving only medical assistance from the Illinois Department may, however, receive emergency financial assistance under this Section. Emergency financial assistance may be provided under this Section to persons who are applicants for public aid from the Illinois Department in order to cover time periods prior to receipt of public aid from the Illinois Department. A local governmental unit may use General Assistance moneys to provide emergency financial assistance under this Section but shall not use State funds to provide assistance under this Section. If a local governmental unit receives State funds to provide General Assistance under this Article, assistance provided by the local governmental unit under this Section shall not be considered in determining whether a local governmental unit has qualified to receive State funds under Article XII. A local governmental unit which provides assistance under this Section shall not, as a result of payment of such assistance, change the nature or amount of assistance provided to any other individual or family under this Article.