What Is the Valid Time Frame for Payment After Approval of the Thai Elite Visa?

Greetings! Elite Visa question here: (please DM if you have information)

What is the longest amount of time anyone has gone from getting "approved" by immigration to actually sending in the payment?

I was just approved for an Elite Visa and the email states that the approval letter is valid for 3 months.

I'm getting conflicting information from the official Thai Elite office.

1 - The email states the letter is valid for 3 months.

2- Member services said the approval is actually valid for a full year but they suggest making the payment in 1-2 weeks after the approval is granted.

I would like to send in the payment in around 3-4 months time and hoping I will not need to go through the approval process again so hoping to hear from some with experience in this visa.

Thanks!