Gemini API returns 403 "Your project has been denied access" on free tier

Hello Google AI Team,

I am requesting a manual review of my Google Cloud project because the Gemini API keeps returning the following error:

403 PERMISSION_DENIED: “Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”

Project name: Everyday Life Assistant
Project ID: everyday-life-assistant-509419

I have already completed the following steps:

  • Enabled the Gemini API.

  • Created a new API key restricted to the Gemini API.

  • Configured GEMINI_API_KEY in Google AI Studio.

  • Successfully verified my age and phone number.

  • Enabled 2-Step Verification.

Despite completing these steps, I still receive the same 403 error.

I want to continue using the Gemini API Free Tier without enabling billing.

Could the Google AI team please manually review my project and advise how I can restore Free Tier API access?

Thank you.