Bell Atlantic Ready to Help Furloughed Federal Workers

January 4, 1996

Bell Atlantic Ready to Help Furloughed Federal
Workers

In a White House briefing yesterday, President Clinton said that some
federal workers have had their phones cut off as a result of the
federal budget impasse. We do not know to which phone company he was
referring. We would, however, like to make clear Bell Atlantic's
policy on payments and how it affects federal employees who are our
customers.

Bell Atlantic does not suspend service for customers who regularly pay
their bills, but are temporarily unable to make payments due to
unusual financial circumstances. At any time, we are willing to
discuss payment arrangements with customers to help them get through
difficult times.

We recognize that federal workers, including thousands who are our
customers in the Washington, D.C. area and throughout the mid-Atlantic
region, are dealing with an extraordinary situation because they are
not being paid. We encourage federal employees who are having trouble
meeting their bills to contact their local Bell Atlantic business
office.

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for more information, contact:

Joan Rasmussen, 703-974-8815
joan.m.rasmussen@bell-atl.com