Suspend my son's phone temporarily

[tornado1]

I am wondering how I can suspend all services for a phone temporarily.  I don't want to cancel the number or even stop paying for the phone's service, but I want to be able to shut it off completely...not just texting or wifi, but everything.  I have the Family plan, but can;t find how to do it where it is not permanent.

[tikibar1]

Have you looked at  Verizon Smart Family 

[vzw_customer_support]

Great news! We have several options to suspend your service without canceling permanently, tornado1. Please take a few minutes to read the details of the service suspension options at the link below and let us know if you need further assistance. How does this sound?

https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/suspend-service-faqs/

AntonioC_VZW

[skiddaddle]

@vzw_customer_support-- I have always been able to suspend a device at will before, without limitations.  This has been crucial to allowing my teens to have cell phones, because if the rules aren't followed, I suspend the device.  Easy, straightforward, and simple.  

Today I logged in to suspend my teen's device, and it looks like the rules have somehow changed, and we are only able to suspend ONE TIME PER YEAR now?  What fresh heck is this?

So the simplicity and functionality I've relied on for *years* now -- to be able to suspend and reconnect a device simply through my online account -- is now gone, and the replacement is a $10/month fee for "Smart Family" which only allows me to "suspend internet" when I really want the WHOLE THING suspended.  Just a simple google search shows bypasses/workarounds to get by these "Smart Family Protections."  This is horrible customer service.  Remove a simple, free, functional feature to then replace it with a bulkier, not effective, and costly "service plan"????  Nope.  

Please tell me I'm misunderstanding this change, or if not, please revert to the easier, effective, free ability to simply suspend a device at will without a ridiculous 1x per year limit.  

[vzw_customer_support]

We appreciate your feedback skiddaddle, as we know how important it is to make sure that you are able to manage your devices. In this case, the information provided is correct. At the moment, you are only able to suspend the service of a line once every 12 months. If you have other questions, we are here to help.

AlfredoL_VZW

[acraftylady2]

Why can't you just turn the phone off and keep it in your possession for how ever long you want it suspended? 

[Jads21]

Thank you for the added explanation and desire to continue to help.  The best way you can do this, would be to restore the feature to enabling the temporary disconnection of service.  As this action was taken by the account owner online and processed by computers, I am unaware of any cost to Verizon.  Need you to re-enable this.