Tags: LA wildfire refund, Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, property tax refund, change of address, Los Angeles County Assessor, FEMA, disaster recovery
Many Fire Victims Missing Out on Important Mail
Los Angeles residents impacted by the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires earlier this year are being urged to update their mailing addresses with the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office. Many affected homeowners are reportedly missing vital documents, including property tax refund checks, simply because they haven’t filed a change of address.
Thousands of homes were destroyed in the fires, leaving many displaced without a stable mailing address. As a result, government-issued checks and tax notices are being returned undelivered.
Automatic Property Tax Reductions Issued
The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office has been actively reassessing fire-damaged properties and has issued temporary reductions in assessed value. This often qualifies homeowners for property tax refunds—even if they didn’t file a formal application.
“We proactively lowered assessments to reflect the damage,” said L.A. County Assessor Jeff Prang. However, many checks are being returned because the recipient’s mailing address is no longer valid.
Why an Address Update Matters
Not all post offices forward government checks, especially if the property has been destroyed. Without an updated mailing address, homeowners could miss out on their refund and other essential documents.
Officials emphasized that updating your mailing address does not change your legal property records—it only ensures that important documents are delivered to your current location.
How to Update Your Mailing Address
Homeowners are encouraged to visit the Assessor’s official website at assessor.lacounty.gov to update their mailing address. The process is simple and can be completed with an electronic signature.
Ongoing Housing Challenges
While the focus is currently on recovering property tax refunds, officials from FEMA and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services also note the ongoing housing crisis. Many victims still lack a permanent place to stay, making it even more critical to provide a reliable mailing address.
By taking just a few minutes to update your contact information, you can ensure you receive all critical tax documents, government checks, and refund notices related to fire recovery.
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