Edcon Provident fund

I resigned on the 21 November 2019 and I served a month notice which is my last date was the 21 December 2020. I just wonder in a normal company , how long one gets the Provident fund. I asked last month my employer and I was told I exited in December 31 which means it will be processed in March because I exited 31 December. What I don't understand why it takes so long while I gave them a notice . I need this money.I need to register and my child she needs to register. This is really frustrating! Was not suppose to get within 21 days. Honestly