VA to host claims and enrollment clinic in Hutch

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, in partnership with the Wichita VA Regional Office, will host a claims and enrollment clinic this weekend in Hutchinson, offering local veterans and their families direct access to benefits assistance and health care enrollment.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at VFW Post 1361, located at 328 North Van Buren. The four-hour outreach clinic is open to the public and designed to connect veterans, caregivers, and survivors with a range of federal resources.

Staff from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and accredited Veteran Service Organization (VSO) officers will be on site to assist with disability claims, VA health care enrollment, and access to additional benefits and services. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive one-on-one guidance.

Organizers say the clinic is part of an ongoing effort to reach veterans who may not yet be connected to VA services. As of September 2025, an estimated 1,500 veterans in Reno County were not enrolled in VA health care. When factoring in nearby Rice and Stafford counties, that number increases to nearly 1,900 individuals.

Officials note that veterans from across the region regularly utilize services at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, and events like this are intended to reduce barriers to access while ensuring veterans receive the benefits they have earned.

No appointment is required to attend the clinic. Veterans are encouraged to bring any relevant documentation, including discharge papers or prior medical records, to help streamline the process.

Organizers are also encouraging community members to help spread awareness of the event to ensure eligible veterans and their families can take advantage of the available resources.