(a)     Written Request to Trustee. The trustee is authorized to issue an emergency refund or allow an emergency credit in chapter 12 or 13 cases from property of the estate in an amount not to exceed one monthly payment or credit per case, per year, provided:

                    (1)     that the request for such refund or credit is in writing;

                    (2)     that the request is signed by the debtor (both debtors in a joint case) or by the debtor's counsel;

                    (3)     that exigent circumstances support such emergency refund or credit; and

                    (4)     that the issuance of the refund or allowance of the credit will not substantially affect distributions to creditors.

          (b)     Form of Emergency Refund or Credit. In the trustee's discretion, the trustee may issue an emergency refund check or allow the debtor to forego the next monthly payment.