Veteran Enrollment in Benefits Remains Low in Utah

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Less than ten percent of Utah's 160,000 veterans are taking advantage of benefits offered by the U.S. government. Often it's because they simply don't know how to enroll, but occasionally it's something more, says Terry Schow, director of the Utah Division of Veterans' Affairs.

"Some of it is partially cultural, though, because there are some folks who think applying for veterans benefits is like applying for welfare," says Schow. "And we have to break that mindset, because we can't have veterans who were shot who think they shouldn't go in and get the care they are entitled."

Schow worries that national scandals over the quality of medical care at Walter Reed Hospital could deter even more Utah veterans from signing up for their benefits. Schow says the problems at Walter Reed are isolated and he's confident in the high-quality of care veterans receive at Utah's VA Hospital.

The Utah Division of Veterans' Affairs is midway through a publicity campaign to enroll more veterans and will hold a Benefits Fair tomorrow at the Salt Lake Community College Redwood Campus (Lifetime Activity Center) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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