Has anyone called USCIS after the processing date mentioned?
https://www.truvisa.com/t/current-h4-ead-l2-ead-processing-times-vermont-texas-california-nebraska/156 currently says Oct-8 2018
Has anyone tried calling who applied before Oct 8, if yes any update please?
Lot of people call USCIS and raise a service request.
USCIS would send a status update request to the case officer working on this case and the chances are high that your case may get approved a little earlier.
Better to call or raise service request online?
Both are same. Online or call ends up with same service request.