(a) All claimants shall be subject to the same rules as are provided by the law governing procedure before the Arkansas State Claims Commission.
(b) All claims asserted under this subchapter shall be filed within five (5) years of the following:
(1) The date of the covered public employee's death;
(2) The date of the incident causing the covered public employee's total and permanent disability; or
(3) The date the covered public employee permanently leaves the employment position covered by this subchapter.
(c) Unless § 6-82-504(e) is applicable, the commission shall award any scholarship benefit provided by the provisions of § 6-82-501 et seq. at the same time any death benefit or total and permanent disability benefit is awarded under this subchapter.