How to Replace Lost ID Documents: Tyandrah's Journey to Stability
By Erin Carden
After a mental health crisis left Tyandrah without ID or housing, VoteRiders helped her replace vital documents so she could regain stability and reclaim her life.
By Erin Carden
After a mental health crisis left Tyandrah without ID or housing, VoteRiders helped her replace vital documents so she could regain stability and reclaim her life.
After a severe mental health crisis, the last thing anyone needs is to be forced to jump through hoops just to get back on their feet. But for 33-year-old Tyandrah, that’s exactly what she had to do.
When Tyandrah was admitted to an inpatient mental health center in Tucson, Arizona, she had no belongings with her. When it was time to transfer to an outpatient program, she had no place to live. She also had no wallet, ID, or phone.
Fortunately, Tyandrah secured temporary housing in a hotel through La Frontera—a behavioral healthcare nonprofit and VoteRiders partner—where she received disability benefits and continued receiving treatment for her mental health. However, without ID documents, Tyandrah couldn’t apply for housing assistance or access her bank account. She didn’t know how she was going to move forward. But, when she explained her situation to her case manager, they immediately knew of another organization that could help—VoteRiders.
Tyandrah was connected to VoteRiders’ Arizona Organizer, Valerie, who assured her that they would help her get and pay for the ID documents she needed to take control of her life again. First, Valerie helped Tyandrah order a replacement driver’s license, which was, fortunately, straightforward since her information was already in the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department’s system. With her replacement license successfully secured, Valerie then helped her order a new copy of her birth certificate. Once Tyandrah had her license and birth certificate, the last thing she needed was a new Social Security card, so Valerie arranged for a Lyft to take her to her local Social Security Office. However, when Tyandrah arrived and presented her ID documents, she was told her temporary address was “not secure enough,” and she would have to wait until she had a permanent address before they could send her a new Social Security card.
Luckily, Tyandrah was able to transition out of her temporary living arrangements and into stable housing with just her driver’s license and birth certificate. A few months later, as she settled into her new home, Valerie helped Tyandrah schedule a second appointment at the Social Security Office so she could finally get her last critical ID document. This time, her new address was accepted, and she received her new Social Security card in the mail shortly after.
“Now I can improve my credit score, live on my own, and qualify for my residence,” Tyandrah explained. “Having these ID documents helped a ton.”
In addition to having the ID she needs for day-to-day survival, Tyandrah is also fully equipped with the right ID to cast her ballot at the polls.
“I want to feel like I’m included in the decision-making process,” she said.
If you or someone you know needs ID information or assistance, call or text our Voter ID Helpline at 866-432-8643 or visit VoteRiders.org/help to learn more about how we can help.
Erin Carden is VoteRiders’ Digital Communications Coordinator.
May 20, 2025.
