Got the reference number=fees collected ?

[sow2k]

I got a mail from HO with my reference number ..
Is this means they have collected the payment(=cheque is honored )?
Or
is it before the payment collection they give a reference ?

FYI :
The mail I got is :

Dear Applicant,
Please accept this as confirmation of our receipt of your application
under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

Please Note:
We received your application on ; 03/08/07
Your reference number is ; xxxxxxxx

Kind Regards
HSMP Team

[fly2uk]

Hi,

Reference number will only be issued after the payment is cleared and your application has been registered on their system for processing.

Rest assured that the cheque is cleared.