Apply for a replacement card for a 5-year old child (4 months now without anything back)

[bncoxuk]

5 years ago we were granted the ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ status. The card for my 5-year old daughter would expire in June 2017. In May 2017, we submitted the application for a replacement card by post, but unfortunately after almost 4 months, the card has not been returned to us. We are in a bad situation now as we have to fly in early October, but obviously we are stuck without the return of the new card for my daughter. We did send proof of our travel document to the home office twice, but they seemed to just ignore it.

We are now thinking to withdraw from the postal application which according to their policy can take up to 6 months. We will then instead to use the one-day premium service for the application of a replacement card. But we checked their website and found for the premium service the card must be still in the validity period. This means that if we withdraw and reapply via the premium service, the card has expired already due to their delay of the application. For this policy, we again feel it is high risk if the application via the premium service is declined which will be a disaster for us.

I am wondering if anyone can advise us what we can do to really speed up the application. We cannot afford further delay (4 months now since document submitted) and really need to in a month time.