(a) The Department of Human Services is empowered to receive federal funds in behalf of and transmit them to such applicants.
(b) Money received from the United States Government for a construction project shall be deposited with the Treasurer of State as a trust fund. The fund shall be separate and apart from all public funds of the state and shall be used solely for payments due to applicants for work performed or purchases made in carrying out approved projects.
(c) Warrants for all payments from the fund shall bear the signature of the Director of the Office of Long-Term Care or his or her agent.
(d) The procedure provided in this section for the receipt and disbursement of such funds is not intended to deprive any applicant from receiving federal payments directly if, for any reason, the department or the Treasurer of State is not authorized to receive and transmit federal payments for certain construction projects to certain applicants.