According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities when individuals and families experience crises such as job loss, illness, disability, or divorce, they may face the prospect of falling into poverty (or becoming poorer) and losing health insurance coverage. Various government assistance programs are designed to lessen these hardships. These programs also provide support when families work but have low earnings and when people reach retirement age. An examination of Census data shows that as a whole, the U.S. public benefits system, sometimes referred to as the "safety net"; has a number of effects on poverty and health insurance status.