Verizon Outage Compensation: A Verizon network wide outage occurred on January 14, 2026 and there were millions of people whose services were affected. There were reports of users being unable to make calls, send messages, and access mobile data for a few hours. As a result of customer dissatisfaction and the service disruption, Verizon offered a $20 account credit to eligible users. Nevertheless, the credit is not automatically given to the users, and a lot of customers are still in the dark about the claiming process.
What happened on 14, 2026?
A major Verizon service outage affected the whole country on January 14, 2026, on whose part lasted nearly ten hours. People living in many parts of the U.S. reported that they could not use their phones at all, and most of them had their screens showing “SOS only” or “No Service.” During the outage there was no calling, no texting, and no mobile internet, so personal communication and business operations were adversely affected.
Verizon to issue $20 credits to customers impacted by cell service outage
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In certain areas, local government even warned people about the unavailability of emergency calls, thus issuing Public Safety Advisories. Later, Verizon confirmed the interruption and admitted that it did not comply with the service standards.
After public outrage and reporting on a large scale, Verizon apologized officially and offered a $20 credit as a gesture of goodwill for the customers impacted.
What Is the $20 Credit and Who Is Eligible?
The $20 credit is a single-use account credit that will be added to your Verizon bill once you manually redeem it.
You might be eligible if:
- Your Verizon service was interrupted due to the outage on January 14
- Your line was marked as affected in Verizon’s system
- You possess an active consumer or eligible business account
The credit is usually applied to the account as a whole rather than per individual line. According to Verizon, this compensation is a goodwill gesture and not a complete refund of the losses incurred during the outage.
Verizon Promises Account Credits After Nationwide Network Failure: Who Qualifies?
Verizon Outage Compensation: How to Claim the $20 Credit?
Step 1: Wait For a Text Message From Verizon
Eligible customers are being informed by Verizon through text messages. The text typically says something like:
“We let you down yesterday and would like to offer you a $20 account credit… redeem it in the myVerizon app.”
Not all customers receive the notification simultaneously. The notifications are dispatched in batches, thus some users might experience a delay.
Step 2: Open the myVerizon App or Website
After receiving the notification, open the myVerizon app on your phone or log in to the official Verizon website.
Step 3: Find the Credit Offer and Accept it
After signing in, you will notice a banner or notification informing you about the outage credit. It might be:
- On the main screen
- In the billing section
- In offers, tasks, or notifications
Then click on the option that says something like “Accept $20 Credit” or “Redeem Credit.” When the credit is accepted, it is automatically applied.
Step 4: Verify the Credit on the Upcoming Bill
After the redemption process, the credit of $20 should be reflected on the next billing statement under adjustments or credits. Even though the update may take 24 to 48 hours, the credit will still show up in your account.
What If the Credit Option Is Not Visible to You?
In case you think your service was interrupted but the credit option is not visible to you:
- Even if you have not received a text message, check the myVerizon app every day.
- Refresh the app or log out and log in again.
- Use the in-app chat or customer support to inquire about eligibility.
- Contact Verizon customer support directly and mention the January 14, 2026 outage credit.
- Sometimes, accounts are not automatically flagged, but manual verification will help.
Important Things to Know Before Claiming
Is the Credit Automatic?
No, the majority of the customers will have to manually accept the credit by using the app or website.
Is the Credit Per Line?
It is said that the $20 credit is applied on an account basis rather than per line.
Does This Fully Compensate for the Outage?
Verizon insists the credit is a gesture of goodwill and won’t cover every inconvenience or loss. Many customers feel it’s insufficient, especially where business or emergency communication was disrupted
What About Business Accounts?
Business customers may receive separate communication or directly from Verizon.
If you were impacted by the outage and don’t see the credit within a week, it’s crucial to get in touch with Verizon support right away. A lot of users have reported success after contacting, especially if their accounts were visibly overlooked at first.
