Fee debited 5 weeks ago, but no acknowledgement?

[violentviolet]

I've applied using NCS on 14th Feb, and my bank statement shows the fee has been taken on 21st Feb. As I still haven't had a letter of acknowledgment I started to get a bit nervous. Looking at the timelines on this forum they normally post the letter on the same day as taking fees, if not earlier?

As I didn't get a response to my email querying this within the alleged service level of 5 days I phoned them today and have been told, whilst my application is in the system, it hasn't been allocated a case worker yet. Is this normal? How could they take the money if noone has been assigned it yet? Without an acknowledgement I obviously don't have a reference number either, which doesn't make chasing it easier.

[unsure]

5 weeks is nothing.

My fee was debited like 7 weeks ago and i got no ack letter.

[CR001]

an acknowledgement letter is not always sent. I applied in 2012 for myself and did not get one. Applied MN1 for my daughter in 2013 and got one confirming fee.