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Contents
Statutory Sick Pay provides a basic income when you’re too ill to work. The rules changed significantly from 6 April 2026 under the Employment Rights Act 2025 — this guide reflects the current rules.
For the wider cluster covering redundancy, statutory pay, leave rights, contract protections, and dispute routes, use the main Employment Rights hub.
Current SSP Rate
2026/27 Rate (from 6 April 2026)
Amount
£123.25 per week (or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower)
Daily equivalent
~£24.65 (5-day week)
Monthly equivalent
~£534
Annual maximum
£3,451.00 (28 weeks)
Compared to Minimum Wage
| Full-time minimum wage (NLW, 21+) | ~£2,090/month (based on £12.71/hour, 37.5-hour week — confirm against your actual hours) |
| SSP | ~£534/month |
| SSP as % of full-time NLW pay | ~26% |
Who Qualifies for SSP
You Must
Requirement
Details
Be an employee
Not self-employed
Be off sick for at least 4 consecutive days
The “Period of Incapacity for Work” minimum — unchanged by the 6 April 2026 reforms; only the payment start date (day 1 instead of day 4) changed
Follow notification rules
Tell employer promptly
There is no longer a minimum earnings threshold — the Lower Earnings Limit was abolished from 6 April 2026. If your average weekly earnings are lower than £123.25, you get 80% of your average weekly earnings instead of the flat rate.
You Don’t Qualify If
Situation
SSP Available?
Self-employed
No (but may get ESA)
Already had 28 weeks SSP
No (ESA instead)
Receiving Maternity Allowance
No
In legal custody
No
Outside UK
Usually no
How SSP Works
Payment From Day One
From 6 April 2026
SSP paid from the first qualifying day
Qualifying day
Day you normally work
Example
Off Mon-Fri, paid from Monday
Both the previous 3 unpaid “waiting days” and the previous 4-day minimum sickness period were abolished from 6 April 2026. A single qualifying day of sickness is now enough to trigger entitlement.
Duration
Maximum SSP
28 weeks
Per spell
Same employer
Then
ESA may be available
If return and off again
Periods within 8 weeks of each other link together
Claiming SSP
What to Do
Step
Action
1
Notify employer (follow their rules)
2
Provide fit note if off 7+ days
3
Self-certify for days 1-7
4
SSP paid with normal wages
Fit Notes
When Needed
After 7 days illness
From
GP or other healthcare professional
Called
Fit note (not sick note)
Options
Not fit for work, or fit with adjustments
Cost
Free if ongoing, fee for back-dating
Self-Certification
First 7 days
Self-certify
Form
Employer’s form or written statement
Details
Dates, reason (briefly)
No doctor needed
For up to 7 days
Company Sick Pay
Many Employers Offer More
Check
Your Contract
Company sick pay
May be more generous
Typical example
Full pay for X weeks, then half pay
Varies hugely
By employer
SSP is minimum
Only what law requires
Typical Company Schemes
Type
Example
Basic
SSP only
Standard
4 weeks full pay, 4 weeks half
Generous
6 months full pay
Public sector
Often better than private
If Employer Won’t Pay SSP
Steps to Take
Step
Action
1
Ask for written reasons
2
Check you meet all criteria
3
Contact ACAS for advice
4
Contact HMRC
5
HMRC can investigate and enforce
Contact HMRC
Phone
Employers helpline
Form
SSP1 disputes
What happens
HMRC investigates
If you’re right
Employer must pay
If you’re wrong
Reasons explained
SSP1 Form
What
Employer’s refusal notice
When
If they refuse SSP
Contains
Reason for refusal
Use for
ESA claim if applicable
If SSP Isn’t Enough
Additional Support
Option
Details
Universal Credit
Top up income
Employment and Support Allowance
If illness ongoing
Housing Benefit
Help with rent
Council Tax reduction
If income low
Charitable grants
Emergency help
When to Claim ESA
Situation
Consider ESA
SSP ending (28 weeks)
Yes
Don’t qualify for SSP
Yes
Self-employed and ill
Yes
Long-term sickness
Yes
SSP and Other Situations
Part-Time Workers
Qualified
Same rules apply
Earnings
No minimum required from 6 April 2026
Qualifying days
Days you normally work
Amount
£123.25/week, or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower
Multiple Jobs
Situation
SSP From Each
Several employers
Yes, if you qualify with each
Earnings per job
No minimum earnings threshold applies from 6 April 2026
Agency Workers
Status
SSP Available
Employment contract
Yes
Check
Who your employer is
May be
Agency or client
Summary: SSP Quick Reference
Key Facts
Feature
Details
Weekly rate
£123.25 (or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower)
First paid
Day 1 of qualifying sickness (from 6 April 2026)
Minimum sickness to qualify
4 consecutive days (unchanged) — but paid from day 1 of that absence since 6 April 2026
Maximum
28 weeks
Minimum earnings
None — abolished from 6 April 2026
Fit note needed
After 7 days
Checklist If Off Sick
Action
Done
Notify employer promptly
☐
Self-certify (days 1-7)
☐
Get fit note (day 8+)
☐
Check company sick pay
☐
Consider UC top-up if needed
☐
If Employer Refuses
Action
Done
Request written reasons
☐
Check you meet criteria
☐
Contact ACAS
☐
Contact HMRC if dispute
☐
Key Contacts
Service
Contact
ACAS
0300 123 1100
HMRC
gov.uk
Citizens Advice
citizensadvice.org.uk
Universal Credit
gov.uk/universal-credit
SSP is a minimal safety net — most people can’t live on it alone. If you’re likely to be off sick long-term, check your rights, explore all benefits, and plan your finances carefully. If your employer won’t pay when they should, don’t let it go — HMRC will enforce your rights.