Question About SAVE Forbearance before I Get the Ombudsman Involved

Hi everyone! I hope this makes sense because I’m super annoyed and so, so confused.

I looked at my FSA.gov PSLF count today and noticed I had the months of June 2025 to February 2026 ineligible due to “Forbearance Due Date.” I work in a public school as a teacher and was employed during that time full-time. I called FSA to ask why it was ineligible, and she told me to call my servicer, Nelnet. I call Nelnet, and thankfully got someone more helpful who told me I was enrolled in the SAVE plan and that is why the months are ineligible. I did not sign up for the SAVE plan when it rolled out because I was on IDR and paying $0 at the time (yasss - but now I pay $453 - ughh!) I argued with her that I never signed up for SAVE, but she stood her ground and told me to call the Feds back and contact my senators if needed. (Haha what a joke, I’m in a red state and our politicians are anti-public education.)

I’m under the impression that it’s people who were enrolled in SAVE that are unfortunately not getting those months of administrative forbearance counted toward their PSLF counts. Does it apply to everyone like Nelnet is saying? I’m sick of the confusion from both Nelnet and FSA. I’m so close to forgiveness and want every month counted. Can anyone weigh in? I’m looking into the ombudsman and any avenue I can take to fight for those months, but I’m hoping for some advice before I do.