R43 form, no response now on month 4 - Help!

I live in Nl, I posted form R43 in Oct 2023, confirmed by HMRC received and being processed, I live abroad andd paid uk tax on pensions, trying now for 4 months to get a response to my R43 request for refund, wait often 40+ mins on the phone no one answers, live chat say call the support number. how can I get an upgate, nothing shows on my Gov Gatway account on any progress.

Hi,

Unfortunately, we do have a large backlog and as we will need to access your record to provide an update, you will need to contact our Income Tax team:

Income Tax: general enquiries

Thank you.

ok, but I have tried multiple times to get through to someone, waiting 30, 40, 50 mins in the phone. I chat I get told to call the help line, its impossible to get a status update

Called today, waited 45mins to speak to someone at 16p a minute! - to be told yes we have your R43 form from Oct 2023 but it is still waiting to be processed by the techncians, 4 month later! cannot tell you anything else or a timeline, pointless.