This is strange. The domain should not be blocked immediately after the expiration of the registration or renewal of the domain. There are at least 14 days when you are able to renew the domain for same price. At least I checked this information at the pananames.com registrar, everything is exactly like that. If you haven’t managed to renew the domain within 2 weeks, then it is blocked. And then you can restore the domain for higher price, don’t wait too long.
Only some registrars block the domain right away. I would advise you to find another registrar.