Missing voluntary National Insurance Contributions cheque

I sent a cheque representing 3 years NICs by registered post to HMRC on 3rd November 2024. I wrote my National Insurance number and my 18 digit payment reference on the reverse and included a covering letter explaining what the cheque was for. My cheque was cashed on 12th November 2024 but to date my state pension forecast has not been updated. When I rang HMRC yesterday, they could find no trace of my cheque despite the payment having been taken from my bank account! I was told that the matter was being forwarded to a different department and that i was to phone back in a couple of weeks for an update if i didn't hear anything. I am obviously worried and stressed as to what has happened to my money bearing in mind HMRC have clearly received and banked my cheque. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi,
We are receiving a high volume at present of customers paying voluntary National Insurance.
If you have paid the cheque to the HMRC bank account and it has been confirmed as cashed, the funds will be held awaiting the allocation to your record.
You can check the timescales for allocations of class 3 on gov.uk - Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC
However, If you are under 6 months to your state pension age, please contact the National Insurance Helpline as they advised so they can investigate your
allocation further on 03000 200 3500.
Thank you.