Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang announced January 23 that his office has created an online “Disaster Relief e-Form” that allows homeowners to file a misfortune and calamity claim (M&C claim) online using any electronic device, including a smartphone.
“This enhancement is part of the Assessor’s commitment to modernizing services and improving accessibility for property owners,” Prang’s office stated in a news release. “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 information about the assessor’s disaster relief services was released as a special bulletin.
The M&C Claim program helps property owners affected by wildfires and other natural disasters qualify for reassessment at a reduced property value, lowering their property tax bills during recovery. To qualify, the property damage must exceed $10,000 and the claim must be filed within 12 months of the disaster date.
Prang also noted that property owners who don’t pay taxes through an impound account may qualify to defer property taxes while their M&C claims are under review, in coordination with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. Homeowners with impound accounts should contact their mortgage lenders for assistance programs, the assessor said.
Prang also encouraged property owners impacted by the fires to register on the assessor’s website for a personal e-Service account associated with their property.
“By registering a personal and confidential account, property owners can keep the Assessor’s Office informed of their contact information and access the status of Homeowners’ Exemption claims and Change of Mailing Address Requests they have submitted,” the office stated. “Without updated contact information, the Assessor’s Office will be forced to rely on the mailing address for property, which may have been destroyed in the fire. Property owners can create an account on the Assessor’s website under ‘My Account.’”
To help combat fraud, property owners will receive email notifications within 48 hours of key activities on their property records, Prang said.
For more information or to file a claim, visit www.assessor.lacounty.gov.