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Veterans service office reports nearly $3.41 million in compensation helped returned to veterans in 2024
Summary
Jefferson County’s veterans service office reported filing 2,785 documents, handling nearly 4,836 phone calls and facilitating $3,409,693 in direct compensation and retroactive payments for veterans and their families in 2024.
Jefferson County’s veterans service office on Jan. 23 presented its 24th annual report, detailing client contacts, transportation services and benefits returned to veterans and their families during 2024.
The office reported filing 2,785 documents covering service-connected disability claims, veterans pensions, widow pensions, county burials and headstone requests, property tax discounts and other benefit requests. Staff recorded a total of 4,836 phone calls (2,852 incoming and 1,984 outgoing) and documented 1,978 appointments, including 585 in-office visits, 1,336 walk-ins and 57 home visits.
The office provided 252 veteran transportation trips in 2024, including VA hospitals, community-based outpatient clinics and local doctor appointments. The office said it now uses two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) DAV transportation vehicles plus two older county vehicles; the county retained a partnership with RSVP for additional transportation support.
In financial terms, staff reported $1,996,280 in annual compensation for service-connected disability, veterans’ pension and widow pension payments; retroactive or back-pay payments totaled $1,413,413, producing a combined total of $3,409,693 in compensation returned to veterans and survivors. The county recorded $14,200 in burial allowances and 100 property tax abatements for veterans in 2024.
The office said it continues community outreach with seminars, benefit clinics, monthly radio appearances on WRX and involvement in veteran events including the county’s annual military appreciation/stand-down. Staff also maintain a VA video-connect hub in the county office to facilitate virtual medical appointments.
The office reported staffing changes: one employee, Nida, moved to full-time status, increasing the county’s full-time service-officer capacity to two. The office said it maintained accreditation through the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and the American Legion and listed advisory and committee roles held by office staff.
The report concludes with an offer of continued support for veterans in Jefferson County and from neighboring counties who request assistance.
