Statutory Sick Pay Explained
The minimum amount your employer must pay you when you cannot work due to illness. SSP is £116.75 per week for 2025-26, payable for up to 28 weeks.
What is Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a legal requirement for employers to pay employees who are unable to work due to illness. It is paid from the 4th consecutive day of sickness (the first 3 days are "waiting days" with no SSP). The rate for 2025-26 is £116.75 per week, paid for up to 28 weeks.
How it works
To qualify, you must earn at least £123 per week (the Lower Earnings Limit), be an employee, and have been ill for at least 4 consecutive days (including non-working days). SSP is taxable income and subject to NI. Many employers offer enhanced sick pay schemes that pay more than SSP and may start from day one. After 28 weeks, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit.
Real example
Dave earns £35,000 and is off sick for 3 weeks (15 working days). SSP kicks in from day 4. He receives SSP for the remaining 11 qualifying days across 2 weeks and 1 day: approximately £233.50 total. His employer's enhanced scheme tops this up to full pay for the first 4 weeks, so Dave notices no difference in his payslip.
Who does this affect?
All employees who meet the minimum earnings threshold and are too ill to work. Agency workers, part-time workers and those on fixed-term contracts are all eligible. Self-employed individuals cannot claim SSP but may qualify for Employment and Support Allowance if they have paid enough NI contributions.
HMRC source
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