Hurricane and phone service

Hurricane  Sandy left me with no phone service on my landline and fax line.
Both Verizon and At&t were and still are out of service.  They changing the  date repairs will be completed. I figure it will be in  6 months.  AT&T was a problem even before  Sandy. Their cells service was the worst.  I asked one of their representatives if  AT&T  meant  Always Telephone Trouble, they didn't laugh.
     I had a conversation the other day with a Verizon representative. I asked for a credit on  my bill, since I have had no service since the storm hit.   I called into repair  a few weeks later to see what their progress was.  I didn't think I had to call in immediately since my whole neighborhood is out of service.  They told  me credit is only from when I called in, they said I should have called sooner..I said  , "how could i have called, i didn't have phone service".    Then they said  , If i didn't pay the balance they would cut off my service.  I'm scratching my head... I don't have any service  ,,, now they want to cut  off my service.. So I ask them " if you cut off my service , how will I know?"  since I do not have any service ,,, hmmmmmmmm