Residents whose homes were destroyed by recent fires can access disaster relief via the county assessor’s office. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang is making it easier for property owners impacted by recent wildfires to access disaster relief. The new online disaster relief e-form allows homeowners to file a misfortune and calamity claim form online.

The enhancement is part of the assessor’s commitment to modernizing services and improving accessibility for property owners. Additionally, with an e-service account, property owners no longer need to rely solely on traditional mail, phone calls or in-person visits, although those options remain available. Instead, they can access services instantly via their email-linked account.

The misfortune and calamity claim program helps property owners affected by wildfires and other natural disasters qualify for reassessment at a reduced property value, lowering property tax bills during recovery.

To qualify for the misfortune and calamity claim program, property damage must exceed $10,000 and claims must be filed within 12 months of the disaster date.

To file a claim, visit assessor. lacounty.gov/contact/assessor/3.

Additional benefits for fire-affected property owners include tax deferrals. Property owners who don’t pay taxes through an impound account may qualify to defer property taxes while their misfortune and calamity claim is under review, in coordination with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. Homeowners with impound accounts are encouraged to contact their mortgage lenders for assistance programs.

Prang is also encouraging property owners impacted by the fires to register for a personal e-service account associated with their property on the assessor’s website. By registering a personal and confidential account, property owners can keep the assessor’s office informed of contact information and access the status of homeowners’ exemption claims and change of mailing address requests. Without updated contact information, the assessor’s office is forced to rely on the mailing address for a property, which may have been destroyed in the fire. Property owners can create an account on the assessor’s website under “My Account.”

For information, visit assessor.lacounty.gov.