maternity leave August - contract expires November. Partner on low income also!

[shola]

Hi all,

I am currently in employment but my contract will expire in November as i am only covering maternity leave. I myself am pregnant and am due to go on maternity leave in August. So from mid Novemebr i will be officially unemployed. I will get government maternity leave for 26 weeks - due to expire around Februart next year. My partner is in employment but on a low wage - €25,000 per annum. So our income is going to be tight for the next few months.
Question i have - when my 26 weeks maternity is up, will i be entitled to job seekers allowance? Does anyone know if there are any other entitlements i can apply for eg, med card, income support? We rent one bed apartment at moment so will have to move to a bigger place which means higher rent - would we be entitled to rent alllowance, even if partner is in employment but on a low wage? I do intend to go back to work but prob wont be til April/May so there will be a few months where there will be 3 of us living off €25,000.
Thanks in advance..just getting panicky about struggling with money next year!!!

 

[gipimann]

You may be entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit (based on PRSI contributions) when your maternity leave ends.

You won't be entitled to Rent Supplement if your partner works 30 hrs per week or more regardless of his earnings.

You & your partner may be entitled to FIS (family income supplement) when the baby arrives.