Wildfire Refund Checks Can't Be Delivered Due To Out-Of-Date Addresses: LA County

LOS ANGELES, CA — Officials on Tuesday urged victims of Los Angeles County's January wildfires to update their mailing addresses to ensure they receive property tax refund checks — because some payments are being returned to the office as undeliverable.

Mailing addresses on record for many fire victims are invalid because they are for homes that were destroyed in the fires. Residents need to provide current addresses in order to receive the money they're entitled to, according to the county Assessor's Office.

After January's wildfire's, the office re-evaluated all properties in the declared disaster areas, which often resulted in temporary reductions in assessed values — and subsequent property tax refunds, officials said.

"Getting relief into the hands of wildfire victims is a top priority for our office," Assessor Jeff Prang said in a statement. "We understand how devastating these fires have been, and we are committed to making sure impacted property owners receive the support they're entitled to. But we need their help in updating contact information so that relief can reach them without delay."

Residents can update their addresses at the assessor's website.