Notwithstanding the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-166.14 of this Article, the persons entitled to benefits shall be subject to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-27 during the two-year period of payment of full salary. All payments of salary shall be made at the same time and in the same manner as other salaries are paid to other persons in the same department. (1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1272, s. 1.)