The “nuclear workers assistance fund” is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money earned from investment of the fund and otherwise accruing to the fund and up to one-half of one percent of any award for an initial claim, including a claim for medical benefits, filed by the department on behalf of the claimants with the federal office of workers’ compensation program, under the federal Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, 42 USC 7384 et seq., or up to five percent of any award after the department files objections to a recommended decision denying an award, which shall be transmitted to the state treasurer for credit to the nuclear workers assistance fund. Balances remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not revert to the general fund. The department shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department for the purpose of the administration of a program to assist nuclear workers seeking claims under the federal Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, 42 USC 7384 et seq. Money from the fund may be drawn on warrants of the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of environment or the secretary of environment’s designee.