Well, just received a reply from my application and it appears I have to do every all over again, from the beginning. Whereas before with the consulate I didn't have to translate my documents for proof of pension, now apparently I need to, so I'm trying to slog though all this and report as I go to help others in the future. My first problem I'm trying to solve is the payment required. Apparently, the payment I had made to the PF is onlly for the issuance of the CRNM card. I need to make another payment (of the R$204) for this application, but the website is different. Apparently it is this one: https://consulta.tesouro.fazenda.gov.br/gru_novosite/gru_simples.asp
but of course it isn't immediately apparent how to complete the web form. Has anyone done this before?
If I had known this I would have just applied for another temporary VISA and gone that route for the renewal. I think it would have been much easier than dealing with Brasilia, but it is what it is...