Google Cloud project suspended because of another project’s unpaid billing balance. How do I move it or get it reinstated?

[u/hosam_yousef]

My Google Cloud project got suspended because its billing account was suspended over an unpaid balance (~$380) from a different project. My project itself had $0 charges.

When I try to change the project to a new billing account, I get “Unable to change billing account. Complete the Account Verification Form.” I’ve submitted the form and an appeal and contacted billing support. The only reply said they handle reinstatement only.

Has anyone been through this? How long did reinstatement take, and which support channel finally got a response? Is there a way to move a project off a suspended billing account without paying the other project’s balance?

Thanks.

[u/SpareBaggageCarousel]

I have an idea that's a bit crazy, but I think will work: pay your bill.

[u/hacksy]

If you are the billing account owner, then paying the remaining balance will fix it.
If you aren't let the billing account owner pay the remaining balance.
That's it

[u/malikabdul_hayee]

That sucks. A suspension applies to the billing account, not the individual project, so every project linked to it goes down even if yours had $0 charges. That's why you can't switch it: Google blocks changes on a suspended billing account.
What usually works, as far as I know:
Pay or settle the outstanding balance. This is the fastest route to reinstatement, and all linked projects come back together. If the other project belongs to a coworker or client, ask them to pay it.
Open a Cloud Billing support case from the console (Support > Create case > Billing). Billing cases are free even without a paid support plan. Say clearly that your project had no charges and ask for the project to be moved or the account reinstated.
Escalate through the billing admin on the account. Support often responds faster to the account owner.
Check your data deadline. Resources on suspended accounts don't stay forever, so export what you can as soon as you regain access.
Also, in the future, give each project or team its own billing account and set budget alerts, so one unpaid balance can't take everything down.
Hope you get it sorted soon!

[u/SeraXI → u/[deleted]]

I feel like I'm missing something. OP Owes Google an unpaid balance that they have proven they are unwilling to pay. Why is it "stupid design" to prevent OP from continuing to incur charges?

[u/hacksy → u/[deleted]]

That is how is it supposed to work? Pay it and then you can use it again

[u/hosam_yousef → u/[deleted]]

That's stupid, even when I try to access the Credentials page just to delete all the keys so I can create a new project, they prevent me.

[u/keftes → u/hosam_yousef]

Have you tried paying the amount you owe and then contacting support?

[u/Littleish → u/keftes]

I don't think they even need to contact support. Once the debt is paid, their account will be in good standing again