Fucking HMRC

[TaxBastards]

Hello.
Does anyone know what I can do about this?
3 years ago (2020-21 tax year), I was told by HMRC that I'd paid too much tax, and would get a cheque through the post. The cheque never arrived, but we'd had problems with our post, so I reckon it went to a neighbour and got binned.
Several times since then, I've tried to call, to get a replacement, and always get automated messages which eventually hang up on me. I've been on the online system (gov gateway) and they don't give info on this for when it's for a previous year. I've determined to try to get it back now, but am going round and round their systems in circles. No one will answer the phone lines. No relevant info online. Am I just too late to get it back? I feel like I'm in a Kafka novel.
Please be kind - I know I should have got this sorted sooner, and don't need to be told off.

TIA

(the most tedious Kafka novel ever, with peri-menopausal fury thrown in)

Get a tax accountant to sort it for you?

Could it be worth contacting them via their social media channels? Or writing a letter? I believe if you write to them they have to write back. I did have to call them a few weeks back - took ages of trying but did eventually get through. Might be worth keep trying.

I don't think it can be too late; their records will show that you haven't cashed it.
I have to say I always do get through to a person when I ring, although it can take a while. I usually use headphones and get on with other things while I'm on hold. Can you try that? (or have you already?)
If you really can't get hold of someone on the phone, I agree you should write and/or contact them on SM.

Write to your MP asking them to intervene. Explain the whole saga and ask them to take up your case.

Worked for me over getting my state pension when I could not get any response from HMRC no matter how I tried. Matter sorted in a few weeks after MP took up my case. Hope this works for you.

I had to call them a few weeks ago, also about something from a previous tax year which couldn't be resolved online, it took AGES but when I did get through they were really helpful, said I would have to write in with all the details but told me exactly how to structure the letter and where to send it etc. If you do write use signed for delivery.

I’ve been struggling with issues with my 21/22 tax return for ages too and getting through on the phone is nigh on impossible.
I used the text box service in the end. You have to type something like ‘I need to speak to a human’ and they put you on to someone.
They were helpful in the end but OMG the process before I found that option was a nightmare.

Thank you all for being calm and kind and helpful. I think I do pick bad times to call them, because I tend to be reminded by something tax-related (e.g., today - which is probably a terrible time to try to call HMRC...). I will try to call at more carefully selected times....