EAD (WorkPermit)

Hello,

After 9 months of a long and frustrating wait, today I saw that the online status for I-765 changed to "New card is being produced".

RD - 05/28/2019
Biometrics - 06/26/2019
Long silence
First SR : Mid-December through I-131
RFE for I-864 Affidavit or Support - 12/30/2019
RFE response mailed to USCIS - 02/10/2020
RFE response received by USCIS - 02/13/2020
Second SR: 02/21/2020
New card is being produced I-765 - 02/25/2020

I am very happy to hear about these news today. My case took quite long, and I am hoping to get my card soon. After the Biometrics, the wait was quite frustrating. On last December I sent a SR when I became eligible
On early January this year, I went to my main I-485 application and saw that an RFE was issued to my main application on 7th month mark.
Unfortunately I never received the original RFE letter. I had to call up USCIS and the next day I called very early at 8AM in order to speak to a Tier 2 agent. Tier 2 agent emailed me a copy of the RFE letter.
 The RFE was about affidavit of support, that it was completed incorrectly. My application is F2B, I am applying through my mom who is a USC, after a long 6 year wait. Uscis said that Affidavit of support must come from the petitioning sponsor, which is my mom, even if a joint sponsor is used (initially we put the joint sponsor on i864, and my petitioner on i864a).
I prepared the required documents and sent to USCIS with the copy of the RFE letter and a cover letter.

About a couple days after following the USPS delivering the response package, I saw that my I485 status was updated to RFE response received.
Today morning, I finally had the great news. Meanwhile, I have a question:

The status of my I765 was updated to "New card is being produced", yet the i131 is still at "case received". I read some posts that this does not necessarily mean that my AP application is denied, since some people received their combo cards even if i131 did not update.
I am hoping this is the case. I would like to hear your opinions.

I will be waiting for my card in the mail. The fact that I never received the RFE letter in mail concerns me but I got mail from Uscis before for biometrics. So they have the right address on file.
After getting the card, I should go to the SSN office to verify right ?
My question is, I am not working with a lawyer, and if the AP is denied, is there something I can do ? I heard lawyers can send an i512 to ask for a separate permit, but I am not sure.
I will also try to get ahold of USCIS to see if I can find out I will be getting a combo card or only an EAD.

Nevertheless, I am very happy. My case took longer than average, but finally a good ending ! Uscis response after the RFE was very quick, I sent a second SR last Friday only because I was eligible to, it usually says I should wait 60 days after an RFE but I did not want to wait without doing anything!

I hope everybody the best of luck. After 9 months of wait, finally I have good news !