£22,000 Salary — 13 weeks SSP 2025-26
SSP gross: £1,544 · Weekly shortfall: £304 · Estimated net SSP: £1,112
Normal pay vs SSP comparison
| Item | Normal pay/week | SSP/week | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross weekly pay | £423 | £119 | -£304 |
| Estimated tax (28% combined) | — | -£33 | |
| Net weekly (approx) | £1,320/mo est. | £370/mo est. | -£219/wk |
SSP breakdown for 13 weeks
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| SSP weeks | 13 |
| SSP weekly rate (2025-26) | £118.75 |
| Total SSP gross | £1,544 |
| Estimated Income Tax + NI | -£432 |
| Estimated SSP net take-home | £1,112 |
| Total gross income you miss out on | -£3,956 |
| Estimated after-tax weekly shortfall | -£219/week |
Annual income context
Taking 13 weeks of SSP on a £22,000 salary reduces your gross annual income by approximately £3,956 (the difference between your normal weekly pay of £423 and SSP of £118.75, multiplied by 13 weeks).
After estimated tax, the take-home reduction is approximately £2,848 for this period.
Tips during sick leave
- Check your contract for enhanced sick pay — many employers pay more than SSP, especially for the first few weeks.
- Pension contributions may continue — some pension schemes base contributions on your contractual salary, not SSP. Check with HR.
- Consider income protection insurance — this pays 50–70% of your salary if you are unable to work long-term due to illness.
- SSP1 form after 28 weeks — if your sick leave exceeds the maximum, your employer must give you this form to claim ESA.
- Keep fit notes — after 7 days of sickness, you need a fit note (sick note) from your GP to continue receiving SSP.
- You may get a tax refund — if SSP brings your annual income below the Personal Allowance (£12,570), or you've overpaid PAYE, HMRC may owe you money.
SSP on a £22,000 salary — what you need to know
On a £22,000 salary, your normal weekly gross earnings are £423. Statutory Sick Pay replaces this with just £118.75 per week — a weekly shortfall of £304. Over 13 weeks, this amounts to a gross income shortfall of £3,956.
SSP is taxable. At a combined estimated tax and NI rate of 28% (based on your marginal rate at £22,000), you would pay approximately £432 in deductions on your £1,544 gross SSP, leaving a net take-home of approximately £1,112 over 13 weeks.
If your employer offers enhanced sick pay, you may receive more than the statutory minimum. Always check your employment contract or staff handbook for your employer's sick pay policy before assuming you will only receive SSP.
How SSP is paid
Your employer pays SSP in the same way as your normal wages — usually monthly through payroll. PAYE tax and NI are deducted automatically. SSP counts as earnings for NI purposes, and your NI contribution record is maintained during sick leave. Your employer can reclaim a portion of SSP if they are a small employer (eligible under the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme for COVID-related absence, though the standard scheme was discontinued in 2014).
Frequently asked questions
How much SSP will I receive on a £22,000 salary?
Statutory Sick Pay is a flat rate of £118.75 per week regardless of your salary. On a £22,000 salary, your normal weekly gross is £423. For 13 weeks off sick, your total SSP gross is £1,544. After estimated Income Tax and NI at 28%, your net SSP is approximately £1,112.
What is SSP in 2025-26?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for 2025-26 is £118.75 per week, an increase from the previous rate from April 2025. SSP is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks per spell of sickness. You must earn at least £123/week (the Lower Earnings Limit) to qualify.
How long can I receive SSP?
You can receive SSP for a maximum of 28 weeks per spell of sickness. A new spell begins after you have returned to work for at least 8 weeks. After 28 weeks, your employer must give you an SSP1 form and you can claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from the DWP.
Is SSP taxable?
Yes. SSP is subject to Income Tax and National Insurance in the same way as regular employment income. Your employer deducts tax through PAYE. On a £22,000 salary, your estimated combined tax rate is 28%, meaning £432 would be deducted from your £1,544 gross SSP, leaving approximately £1,112 net over 13 weeks.
What happens after 28 weeks of SSP?
Once your 28-week SSP entitlement is exhausted, your employer must issue you an SSP1 form. You can then apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or Universal Credit if eligible. ESA amounts depend on your National Insurance record and whether you are placed in the work-related activity group or the support group.