Voluntary National Insurance Contributions: Have I hit the 31 July 2023 deadline or not?

I am a Brit abroad and have applied by post to pay voluntary national insurance contributions (and backpay from 2006). My application was received by HMRC in February 2023. I am however extremely confused over whether that confirms that I have hit the deadline (July 31st 2023) or not. I was assured by friendly HMRC helpline staff on two occasions that I had hit the deadline because my application had been received: even though I will not have paid by the 31st July because they are 21-28 weeks behind processing applications. The website however suggests that payment needs to be made by 31st July. How do I get a definitive answer? Please could the website align with the information Im hearing from the hotline staff? In addition, friends that have agents representing them have suggested that I should have sent an estimated cheque to ensure that the deadline is met. Plse can you talk me through this process. Many thanks. Annelies

Hello, do the HMRC respond to these questions and if so how long does it take. Thx A

Hi,

When our international caseworkers come to the date your application was received you will be able to pay for the rate in place at that date and not when the caseworker picked up the case.
This is because the delay will not be taken into account and will be worked as if no time has passed. You will not be penalised for our delays.

Thank you.