This fact sheet summarizes a paper that uses Current Population Survey data to track how seven public benefit programs responded to the increased needs of families during the Great Recession, focusing on support available to children whose parents were both unemployed and low-income. Public benefit programs-particularly unemployment insurance and SNAP-expanded rapidly during the recession, providing important supports to families. However, unemployment insurance provides relatively low coverage rates, particularly for low-wage workers, leaving many families dependent on SNAP and other safety-net programs during times of unemployment. The analysis concludes with policy implications for unemployment insurance, TANF and SNAP.