I never know when to send in my application because when I check online I often see noticed like “BB are taking 6 to 7 weeks to process” so I post of the form 6 or 7 weeks early then I get nervous they never got the form nearer the expiry date.
I send an email to them about one week before expiry asking if everything is in hand and I get a reply saying the badge has just been sent to the printer and will be with me in the next 3 or 4 days.
I never know if my follow up email prompts them to get the badge out or if it would still come if I didn’t do the follow up.
Would be great if they had some sort of confirmation of receiving the application but I think its beyond the competence of government office to do that.