Since its inception, EBCLC has helped clients with problems related to their entitlement to benefits and supportive services. Approximately 20% of these clients are homeless. The Income & Employment (IES) practice provides legal advocacy and support to families facing problems with their CalWORKs or General Assistance (welfare). The problems include work requirement sanctions, which are reductions in the cash grant due to purported failure to comply with employment-related requirements. They also include loss of assistance because the adults have purportedly used up their 60-month lifetime limit on aid. The IES practice assists families obtain support services available through the CalWORKs program, such as child care, education, job training, transportation, etc.

In addition to direct client work, IES advocates appear before the County Social Services Agency, the County Board of Supervisors, the State Legislature, Courts, and other forums to seek policy changes on behalf of welfare recipients and their families. Such work involves changing administrative procedures, drafting regulations and proposing legislation.

The IES practice partners in collaboration with many agencies, including: the Homeless Action Center (providing disability advocacy), Asian Community Mental Health (providing case management services for families who speak Asian Languages), and Parental Stress Services (providing case management for families who speak English).