Calculate your SSP entitlement for 2025/26. Current SSP rate: £116.75 per week.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount your employer must legally pay you when you are off work due to illness. It is a legal right in the United Kingdom, set each year by the government and paid by your employer rather than directly by HMRC.
For the 2025/26 tax year, the SSP rate is £116.75 per week. This amount is reviewed annually by the government and typically increases slightly each April in line with inflation or earnings growth.
SSP is not the same as your full salary. Most employees will earn considerably more than £116.75 per week, which means time off sick can have a significant financial impact. That is why many employers offer enhanced sick pay schemes that top up SSP to a higher level, or even full pay, for a certain number of weeks.
SSP was introduced to give employees a basic level of income protection when they fall ill, recognising that people should not be financially penalised for becoming sick. It also helps encourage employees to stay at home when unwell, rather than coming into work and potentially spreading illness to colleagues.
Not everyone automatically qualifies for Statutory Sick Pay. You must meet several conditions:
SSP is only available to employees with an employment contract. Self-employed people, contractors, and freelancers do not qualify. If you are a worker (such as a gig economy worker), your entitlement may depend on your employment status — this can be a complex area and may be worth checking with ACAS or Citizens Advice.
Your illness must last for at least 4 consecutive days (known as a "period of incapacity for work" or PIW). These 4 days include weekends, bank holidays, and days you would not normally work. If you are only ill for 1, 2, or 3 days, you do not qualify for SSP for that period.
Your average weekly earnings must be at least £123 (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26). This is calculated over the 8 weeks before your illness started. If you earn less than this, you will not be eligible for SSP.
One of the most confusing aspects of SSP is the concept of "waiting days." The first 3 qualifying days of any period of illness are called waiting days, and you are not paid SSP for these days.
Qualifying days are the days you normally work. For most employees working Monday to Friday, these will be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the first week of illness (assuming illness started on a Monday). SSP then starts from the fourth qualifying day — Thursday in this example.
However, if you have had a linked period of incapacity for work within the previous 8 weeks, the waiting days may already have been used up, meaning SSP could start sooner.
The waiting days rule means that short periods of illness of 1–3 qualifying days result in no SSP at all. For longer illnesses, you effectively lose 3 days of SSP pay at the start of each new period of incapacity (unless linked to a previous period).
A fit note (formerly called a sick note or doctor's note) is a document provided by a GP or other healthcare professional confirming that you are unfit for work due to illness or injury.
For the first 7 days of illness, you can self-certify your absence. This means you simply tell your employer you are ill — you do not need any medical evidence. After 7 consecutive calendar days of illness (not just working days), you will need a fit note from your GP.
A fit note will either state that you "are not fit for work" or that you "may be fit for work" with adaptations. When a fit note says "may be fit for work," your employer can discuss adjustments such as reduced hours, different duties, or phased return.
You can get a fit note from your GP, hospital doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, or registered nurse. GP surgeries can now issue digital fit notes, which are sent directly to your employer. The process has been streamlined to reduce unnecessary GP appointments.
From 2023, fit notes can be issued after a remote consultation (by phone or video), so you do not necessarily need to visit your GP in person.
Many employers offer sick pay schemes that go above and beyond the statutory minimum. These are sometimes called "contractual sick pay" or "occupational sick pay," and the details will usually be in your employment contract or staff handbook.
Common enhanced sick pay arrangements include:
Employers are not legally required to offer enhanced sick pay, but it is a valued employee benefit. The public sector (NHS, civil service, teaching) typically has more generous sick pay provisions than the private sector.
Returning to work after illness — especially a longer period — requires some care and planning. Employers have a duty of care and should support your return appropriately.
If your fit note says you "may be fit for work" with adjustments, or if you and your employer agree, you may be able to return on a phased basis. This could mean starting with fewer hours per day, working from home for part of the week, or taking on lighter duties initially.
During a phased return, your pay arrangements may vary. If you are working reduced hours, your employer may pay you for the hours worked and top up with SSP for the remainder, depending on your contract.
Many employers conduct a return to work interview after any period of absence. This is a brief meeting to welcome you back, discuss any adjustments needed, and ensure you are ready to resume your role. Return to work interviews are normal practice and not a disciplinary measure.
If you have been on sick leave, you have the right to return to the same job. Your employer cannot simply change your role or demote you because you were ill. If you feel your employer has treated you unfairly due to illness, you may have rights under the Equality Act 2010, particularly if your illness amounts to a disability.
SSP can only be paid for a maximum of 28 weeks. Once this period is reached, your employer will stop paying SSP and must give you an SSP1 form explaining why payments have ended.
Universal Credit: If you are on a low income or have no income, Universal Credit can provide financial support. The amount you receive depends on your circumstances, including housing costs, children, and any savings. You can apply online via GOV.UK.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): New Style ESA is available to people who have paid enough National Insurance contributions and cannot work due to illness or disability. It can be paid at the same time as Universal Credit. In 2025/26, New Style ESA is up to £117.60 per week.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP): If your illness causes long-term disability or care needs, you may be able to claim PIP regardless of your employment status or earnings.
If you are self-employed, you cannot claim Statutory Sick Pay. This is one of the key financial risks of self-employment. However, there are some options available:
The Statutory Sick Pay rate for 2025/26 is £116.75 per week. This rate applies to qualifying days only (usually Monday to Friday for most employees). If you work fewer qualifying days per week, the daily rate is £116.75 divided by the number of qualifying days per week.
There are 3 waiting days for SSP. You do not receive SSP for the first 3 qualifying days of illness. SSP starts from the 4th qualifying day. For example, if your qualifying days are Mon–Fri and you fall ill on Monday, SSP starts from Thursday (the 4th qualifying day).
You are eligible for SSP if you are an employee (not self-employed), have been ill for 4 or more consecutive days including weekends, and earn at least £123 per week before tax (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26). You must also notify your employer within their required timescale.
SSP can be paid for a maximum of 28 weeks per period of sickness. After 28 weeks, your employer stops paying SSP. Your employer should give you an SSP1 form at this point, which you may need to claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
For the first 7 days of sickness, you can self-certify — meaning you just tell your employer you are ill. After 7 consecutive calendar days, you will need a fit note from a GP or other authorised healthcare professional. Your employer cannot legally demand a fit note for absences of 7 days or fewer.
No. Self-employed people are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay as they do not have an employer to pay it. Alternatives for self-employed people include income protection insurance (which pays a proportion of your income during illness), Universal Credit, and maintaining a personal savings buffer.
When SSP ends after 28 weeks, your employer must give you an SSP1 form. You may then be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have enough National Insurance contributions, or Universal Credit if you are on a low income. PIP may also be available if you have long-term disability or care needs.