Ripley County Veterans Office provides wide range of support services

JULIE POLLOCK ELLIOTT

Ken Hylton is ready to serve the veterans of Ripley County. His office is located at the Ripley County Courthouse Annex at 102 West First North Street in Versailles.

Many veterans in Ripley County may not realize the full range of services available to them through the local Veterans Service Office.

The Ripley County Veterans Service Office, led by Veterans Service Officer Ken Hylton and Andrew Adams, Asst. Veterans Service Officer, assists veterans and their families with far more than just filing claims. While the office helps with disability compensation, pensions, survivor benefits, and education assistance, it also provides guidance on VA home loans and health care access.

Veterans can receive help enrolling in VA health care, scheduling appointments, and obtaining items such as hearing aids, mobility devices, and long-term care services. The office also can assist with replacing military records, securing medals and citations, and pursuing discharge upgrades.

For those facing more immediate challenges, the office connects veterans to mental health resources, suicide prevention programs, and assistance for homeless veterans. Transportation to and from VA appointments is also available through the office. The vehicle is currently used to transport veterans to appointments 8-10 days a month by local veterans who volunteer.

Tara Briggs, RCHD Administrator shared with The Versailles Republican “The Ripley County Health Department was proud to partner with the Ripley County Veteran Affairs Office on the vehicle wrap. We were able to do so through our Health First Indiana funding.”

The recently added wrap displays a logo “Be The One”, an initiative to reduce the number of service members and veterans lost to suicide.

Additional support includes help applying for state benefits such as tax deductions, specialty license plates, burial assistance, and reduced hunting and fishing licenses.

The office also works behind the scenes, partnering with local organizations, assisting funeral homes, and advocating for veterans with state and federal agencies.

Hylton and Adams encourage any veteran — or family member — who is unsure about available benefits to reach out to them at the Ripley County Courthouse Annex 102 West First North Street, Versailles, or call 812-689-7165.

Even those who believe they may not qualify are often surprised to learn what services and support they can access close to home.