What is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount UK employers must pay eligible employees who are too ill to work. It is paid for up to 28 weeks and is subject to tax and National Insurance. Employers are legally required to pay SSP if the employee meets the qualifying conditions.

What is the current SSP rate in the UK?

The current SSP rate is set by the government and reviewed annually each April. SSP is paid for qualifying days (the days an employee normally works). Employers can choose to pay more than the statutory minimum through a company sick pay scheme, but cannot pay less.

How many waiting days are there before SSP starts?

There are 3 waiting days before SSP begins. These are the first 3 qualifying days of sickness absence, during which no SSP is paid. After the 3 waiting days, SSP is paid for each subsequent qualifying day of sickness, up to a maximum of 28 weeks.

Who qualifies for SSP?

To qualify for SSP, an employee must: be classed as an employee with a contract of service, have been ill for at least 4 consecutive days (including non-working days), earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance, and have notified their employer within the required deadline.

Can an employer pay more than SSP?

Yes, many employers offer a company sick pay scheme (also called occupational or contractual sick pay) that pays more than SSP. This is at the employer's discretion and should be outlined in the employment contract. Company sick pay may include full pay for a set period before reverting to SSP.

Free UK SSP Calculator

Statutory Sick Pay Calculator

Calculate UK Statutory Sick Pay entitlement. Check eligibility, waiting days, and total SSP payable for your employees.

From April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 per week, payable from day 1 of illness for up to 28 weeks, or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower. GOV.UK SSP rates →

£123.25

Weekly Rate

28 Weeks

Maximum

Calculate SSP

Enter employee details to calculate their Statutory Sick Pay entitlement

Average Weekly Earnings (£)

Must be at least £129/week to qualify for SSP

Days Worked Per Week

Number of days the employee normally works each week

First Day of Sickness

Last Day of Sickness (or expected)

SSP in Last 8 Weeks?

If yes, no waiting days apply - periods link together

SSP Entitlement

Based on current UK SSP rate of £123.25/week

Enter employee details to calculate SSP

UK Employment Law

What are the UK SSP rules?

Who is eligible for SSP?

Employees qualify for SSP if they earn at least £129 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit), have been sick for 4 or more days in a row, and have notified their employer within the required timeframe.

How do waiting days work?

SSP is not paid for the first 3 qualifying days of sickness (waiting days). However, if an employee has received SSP within the last 8 weeks, these periods link and no additional waiting days apply.

What is the current SSP rate?

From April 2026, the SSP rate is £123.25 per week (or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower). SSP is now payable from day 1 of sickness absence.

How long can SSP be paid?

SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks. After this, employees may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from the Department for Work and Pensions.

What are the employer's responsibilities?

Employers must pay SSP to eligible employees. They cannot recover SSP costs from HMRC (the SSP rebate scheme ended in 2014). SSP is subject to tax and National Insurance.

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