Negotiating pay when I have been out of work - 5 months and counting

I have been out of work for 26 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. There are 17 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I do not want to price myself out. What did you say?

Asking about the range for the role first worked for me. Some recruiters share it.

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.