Hey everyone, feeling a bit panicked and looking for advice/similar experiences.

My situation:

Filed post-completion OPT (I-765) on December 8, 2025

Got receipt notice but zero updates since

Submitted a USCIS service request 15 days ago — got a ticket number but no response

Not from any travel ban / high-risk country (so no processing hold applies)

Have a job lined up but can't start without EAD

Cannot afford premium processing

What I've done so far:

Checked case status on USCIS — no movement

Filed service request (no response in 15 days)

Planning to submit congressional inquiry to the senator's office this week

Questions:

Anyone else in a similar situation with this timeline?

Has the congressional inquiry actually worked for anyone?

Any free options I'm missing?

I know delays are common but 5 months with zero movement is stressing me out. Any advice appreciated 🙏