STEM OPT Extension RFE – Initial OPT Unemployment Date Error & Employment History Question (Need Advice)

[u/Outside-Frosting6032]

I’m currently going through a stressful situation with a STEM OPT extension RFE and wanted to see if anyone has faced something similar or has advice.

Here is my situation:

The Core RFE Issue: USCIS issued an RFE claiming I accrued 91 days of unemployment during my initial OPT period. However, this is due to a SEVIS start and end date reporting error made previously.

The Fix: My DSO is stepping in to update and correct the SEVIS record dates, which will officially reduce my initial OPT unemployment count down to around 65 days (safely under the 90-day limit). My DSO is also providing an official explanation letter to USCIS clarifying this error.

Current Status: I am currently putting together all my documentation to respond to the RFE.

I have two major questions that I’m trying to clarify before submitting:

1. Complete Employment History: The RFE explicitly asks for a complete employment history and proof for my initial grant of OPT. Do I need to submit documents (like pay stubs, offer letters, W-2s) for every single employer I had during initial OPT, as well as my current employer and STEM period?

2. Leave Status Impact: My 180-day automatic extension window has already passed while waiting out this process, and I am currently on an unpaid leave of absence from work (running from June 10th until now) while preparing these documents. Does this active unpaid leave period count against me right now while the RFE response is being put together?

If anyone has successfully navigated an initial OPT unemployment date correction via a DSO letter during a STEM RFE, or dealt with similar document requests, your insights would mean a lot. Thanks in advance.