Salary expectations: how do you answer? - what worked for you?

I have been out of work for 20 weeks and feel pressure to accept less. I also do not want to sell myself short. Does giving a range hurt?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

Benefits matter too. A slightly lower rate with better coverage was better for me.