I Just wanted to pipe up that this isn't necessarily true! We all know how USCIS gives different answers to people all the time. Don't lose hope!
I have a friend who is an immigration lawyer, he told me a while ago that receiving an RFIE (for my marriage certificate they already had -_-) on the AOS application wouldn't affect my EAD processing.
I just got EAD notification today of card production at day 102 from initial application.
Package sent: Feb 13th
Received: Feb 16th
NOA1 date: Feb 22nd
Biometrics: March 22nd
RFIE on AOS: March 31st
RFIE response received: April 25th EAD service request: May 19th (Note: this request is still showing as having not been assigned for processing) EAD "Card Production": May 26th
I'm so happy I started crying when I got the email notification. Not working has been so stressful; not only financially but I've been feeling almost depressed with nothing to do. I'm a nurse - it's in my blood to need to help people!
Good luck to everyone still waiting. I totally understand how helpless you feel.