Statutory Sick Pay SSP UK

Overview

Calculate Statutory Sick Pay SSP UK using the official rates and regulations for United Kingdom.

How it works

Enter the base amount and the calculator will apply the relevant rates and brackets to compute the result.

Understanding Statutory Sick Pay and Your Rights

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount employers must pay to eligible employees who are off work due to illness. For the 2025-26 tax year, SSP is £116.75 per week, paid for up to 28 weeks in a single period of incapacity for work. Eligibility requires that you are classed as an employee, have started work for your employer, have been ill for at least four consecutive days including non-working days, and earn on average at least £123 per week before tax. There is no longer a waiting period of three qualifying days as the system was simplified, and SSP is payable from the first day you are off sick. SSP is treated as normal pay for tax and National Insurance purposes, meaning it is subject to the usual PAYE deductions. Employers cannot withhold SSP because they disagree with the reason for absence, and they cannot require you to take annual leave instead of sick leave. If your employer refuses to pay SSP when you believe you are entitled, you can contact HMRC's Statutory Payment Disputes Team for assistance. Many employers offer occupational sick pay that exceeds SSP, particularly in the public sector and larger companies, paying full or half pay for a specified period that may extend well beyond the 28-week SSP limit.

Fit Notes and Evidence Requirements

For the first seven days of sickness, you can self-certify by telling your employer you are ill. After seven days, your employer can request a fit note from your doctor or healthcare professional confirming you are not fit for work or may be fit for work with adjustments. Your employer must pay SSP while you provide the required evidence. If your employer doubts the genuineness of your sickness, they can request that you see a doctor appointed by them at their expense, though this is rare. The fit note system allows doctors to suggest modifications to your role that might enable you to return to work, such as amended duties, altered hours, or workplace adaptations. Your employer is not obligated to implement these suggestions, but should consider them reasonably. Understanding your rights regarding fit notes and evidence prevents employers from imposing unreasonable requirements that go beyond what the law permits.

Using Our SSP Calculator

Our Statutory Sick Pay calculator helps you determine your SSP entitlement based on your weekly earnings and expected period of absence. Enter your earnings and the dates of your sickness to see the weekly SSP amount, total payment over your absence, and the remaining weeks of entitlement available if you are still off work after 28 weeks. For employees with occupational sick pay, the calculator shows the enhanced payment alongside the statutory minimum, highlighting the additional benefit provided by your employer. This helps you understand your financial position during illness and plan accordingly for any shortfall between your normal pay and the statutory or occupational sick pay received.

SSP and Company Sick Pay Schemes

Many employers offer contractual or occupational sick pay that exceeds SSP, particularly in sectors with strong union representation, the civil service, and larger private companies. These schemes may provide full pay for a specified number of weeks followed by half pay, with SSP incorporated into the enhanced rate. Company sick pay policies are contractual, meaning you can check your employment contract or staff handbook for the specific terms applicable to your role. Some employers require a clean sick record over a rolling period to qualify for enhanced sick pay, creating an incentive pattern that has been criticised for encouraging presenteeism. If your employer provides enhanced sick pay, they cannot reduce this to SSP unless the contractual terms specifically allow it after a specified period. Understanding the interaction between SSP and any enhanced scheme ensures you receive the full amount you are entitled to during illness. For workers on zero-hours contracts or with irregular hours, SSP is calculated based on your average weekly earnings over the previous eight weeks, and our calculator handles these variable earnings patterns to provide an accurate entitlement estimate.

Our calculator helps both employees and employers determine the correct SSP amount, track entitlement weeks, and understand the financial implications of sickness absence for budgeting and planning purposes.