M
ajor banks in Los Angeles County are offering mortgage relief to homeowners affected by recent wildfires. Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo will have a simplified process for those who need help with their mortgages. This means no forms or documents will be required, according to an announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom.

    When the 90-day forbearance period ends, there won't be immediate repayment or late fees. The mortgage relief program also excludes reporting payments to credit agencies. Newsom stated that this deal aims to provide thousands of survivors with a measure of relief and allow them to focus on their immediate needs rather than worrying about paying mortgages.

    The ZIP codes included in the program are 90019, 90041, 90049, 90066, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402, 91001, 91104, 91106, 91107, and 93536. The wildfires that began on January 7 killed at least 28 people and destroyed over 15,000 structures.

    In addition to the mortgage relief program, Newsom has issued executive orders to help fire victims. These include postponing the tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County residents until October 15 and allowing homeowners to delay property taxes without penalty until April 2026. Longer deferrals of up to four years are also available by applying to the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.

    Newsom has also taken steps to protect fire victims from predatory land speculators, making unsolicited and undervalued offers a misdemeanor offense for three months. Violations can be reported to the attorney general's office at oag.ca.gov/report.