It seems impossible to get the phone buyout.

I tried to submit a claim for my phone buyout from Verizon and was stopped because I was outside the 30 days. I had connected Verizon for the final bill and they said it takes 30 days for a hard copy.  I couldn't see it on line because my account was deactivated when I switched.
So basically there is no way to get the advertised reimbursement for switching to T-Mobile?  Anyone else find this BS?