SBC Ameritech disconnecting the disabled for the precious deposit /aka their seed money No One Knows For Sure Pontiac Michigan

Laura,
If I am not mistaken there should be a "lifeline" program available for people with disabilitiesor low income that is designed to give people reduced phone rates. I know that they have been charging me "lifeline" charges on my phone bill for years. When I asked what that was about they said that they were required by law to charge each customer this fee to help defray the cost of providing disabled and poor a phone.

Now, that was in CA and that was a couple of years ago. So, I don't know if it is national or if they still do it (I use cell phone only now).

Without a phone it might be difficult, but if you can somehow check around there might be a state agency that can help. Also, if there are any private organizations/churchs around, they might help with the deposit so you can have access to a phone.

Hey, you want to hear a rip off? When my ex and I split up in '94 I called SBC to switch the phone to my name. Because it was in her name for the previous 6 years I had to pay a $100 deposit. Even though we had both been living there, paying the bill with checks that had both our names... I had to pay a deposit because I personally didn't have a phone with them before.

Good luck and let us know.

Thanks,

Hello,
I previously worked for Ameritech/SBC. I was one of those "goons" you mentioned, in customer service. The reality is, that you were actually speaking to a rep in the billing department, not the customer service dept. Most reps in the customer service dept,(for billing inquiries) are polite. BUT...Once a person's line is disconnnected, they're now at the mercy of the billing department and these reps weren't even nice to us! LOL...unfortunately, I'm not kidding though.

I'll say this though, for ANYONE to say what was said to you, is HORRIBLE. I used to get upset customers and they'd cuss and rant at me but I still would never have said something like that to you. Unfortunately, because of their deposit requirement...they'll not reconnect your phone until it is paid. The only thing I can say in their defense is...that MANY people don't pay their phone bills and that's why they have a deposit requirment for some customers.

There may be some hope for your situation though if you get the right person in the right department to prove your case too. I would ask to speak to a supervisor in the Billing Dept. Tell them that you were hosptitalized and have a medical disability and were unable to pay your bill. Tell them that you didn't have anyone able to handle your bills or business while you were hospitalized and that you can provide medical bills/hospital records to prove this.

If you had a good history of paying your bills on time prior to your being hospitalized, this will help validate your situation. I wouldn't just take the basic/robotic answer as the end all. I'd go to the top and try to get someone to hear your side of the story.

Good luck to you and I wish you all the best with your health.