Surely it's the young person that gets the EMA in any case - based on the household income, unfortunately. That's the loop you have already been through - looks like the answer is no, unfortunately - because the application is based upon income in the previous FY.
Try phoning the administrators of the system - there might be a let out in your circumstances (greatly reduced income in the current year).http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAn
dLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/EMA/DG_066951