HONOR • RECOGNIZE • REMEMBER
Recognition that leads to practical help
A guide for Minnesota veterans of Special Guerrilla Units and irregular forces in Laos, their families, and the community members helping them apply.
Information checked October 20, 2026. Follow the current MDVA instructions and ask a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) for help with your individual case.
What recognition provides
MDVA requires service verification and a Certificate of Eligibility for the state benefits described on its SGU page. These are specific benefits; state recognition does not automatically establish eligibility for every federal VA program.
Recognition & employment
- Veteran designation on Minnesota identification.
- Public employment preference and permissive preference in private employment, subject to the applicable rules.
- Certain certified vital records without charge.
Memorial & burial support
- MDVA-purchased permanent grave markers.
- Reimbursement to qualifying veterans organizations providing funeral honor guards.
- State veterans cemetery burial privileges subject to the required eligibility determination.
January 1, 2027: The 2026 law provides for the new “SGU Veteran” driver’s license/state ID designation beginning on this date. Ask Driver and Vehicle Services about implementation and required documents.
Sources: MDVA benefit overview; House summary of the 2026 law.
How to apply for recognition and benefits
- Get help and gather documents. A CVSO or MDVA can help complete the process. Bring identity, naturalization and available service records. MDVA describes a route for those naturalized under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act of 2000 and a verification route for other qualifying applicants.
- Apply to the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Complete VA Form 40-10007 for a pre-need burial determination. Follow the SGU-specific MDVA instructions, including entries for Blocks 5, 6 and 14. Pre-filing does not require you to choose burial in a national cemetery.
- Submit the NCA decision to MDVA. For a favorable decision, provide the determination and a copy of your Minnesota-issued ID through MDVA’s official process. MDVA issues the state Certificate of Eligibility.
- If NCA says no, request special consideration. A negative federal determination can be followed by a separate MDVA review. See the evidence checklist below.
- Use your certificate. Work with your CVSO and the agency providing the specific benefit to learn its additional requirements.
Official application instructions
English PDF · Hmong PDF · Lao PDF
The English instructions list NCA submission by fax at 1-855-840-8299 or mail to NCA Intake Center, PO Box 5237, Janesville, WI 53547. Verify the current form before sending.
MDVA application questions: sguapplication.mdva.access@state.mn.us · 651-201-8277. In-person location: Veterans Service Building, 20 W. 12th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55155. Language/alternate-format assistance: 612-548-5961.
Sources: MDVA application instructions; MDVA eligibility guidance.
If records are missing: special consideration
Submit the NCA denial and at least two different forms of supporting documentation. Evidence can include original service documents; an affidavit from someone in your chain of command; two affidavits from fellow service members; service photographs; training or commendation records; congressional recognition; relevant articles; or qualifying veterans-organization membership records. MDVA decides what evidence is sufficient and may ask for more information.
If MDVA denies special consideration, a request for a contested case hearing must be filed with the Commissioner within 60 days of the denial notice and state the reasons for the challenge.
Download MDVA’s Special Consideration Form · Read Chapter 96, sections 9–10
The path to Minnesota recognition
2025 • Recognition in law
SF 1959 became Laws 2025, Chapter 30. Article 2 created Minnesota Statutes 197.448 and the advisory task force to recommend service-verification criteria. This established a state recognition and benefits framework.
2026 • A verification process
HF 3522 / SF 3955 became Chapter 96. The law added the application and special-consideration procedures and updated the benefits framework. Governor Tim Walz signed it into law.
The task force’s recommendations were delivered February 10, 2026. Its report and meeting records document how the verification approach developed.
The people and community behind the work
Recognition reflects work by veterans, families, advocates, legislators and public servants. The following are documented roles, rather than a complete list of everyone who contributed.
- Senator Foung Hawj: author of the 2025 SF 568 recognition proposal. At its March 19 hearing, Dr. Lee Pao Xiong, director of Concordia University’s Center for Hmong Studies, and Ya Lee, an SGU veteran and T-28 pilot, testified. Read the official hearing minutes.
- Representative Bidal Duran and Senator Aric Putnam: House and Senate sponsors of the enacted 2026 omnibus legislation, according to House Public Information Services. Legislative record.
- Senators Susan Pha and Tou Xiong: worked with Hawj and Putnam on the recognition effort; the Senate announcement identifies Pha as SGU Task Force chair. Read the Senate announcement.
- Veterans and families: the 2025 Senate resolution names SGU Veterans and Families of USA as its recipient and honors the community’s service, losses and journey from Laos. Read Senate Resolution 44.
Families can help preserve photographs, names, dates, unit information and first-person accounts. Keep original documents safe, make copies, and ask a CVSO which evidence belongs in an application.
Watch the public process • Read the record
SGU Task Force Meeting 8 — January 15, 2026. Official meeting recording linked by MDVA.
Watch on YouTube · All MDVA recordings and meeting materials
- Task Force report — February 10, 2026
- Appendix A — Eight meeting summaries
- Appendix B — State and federal legal background
You do not have to navigate this alone
Find a CVSO · Call LinkVet · Visit the official MDVA SGU page
This community guide links to official sources. MDVA and the responsible agencies determine eligibility. Review the linked instructions for updates before applying.