Weighing a contract offer against waiting (update)

A permanent role may come up, but the contract starts now. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I have 8 months of savings left. How did you handle benefits?

Buy coverage through the marketplace if the contract has none. I budgeted for it before signing.

If savings are low, I would accept and keep applying. You can leave for a permanent role if one appears.