Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

What is Statutory Sick Pay?

This benefit is paid by your employer. Any disputes are handled by HMRC. If you think you have been wrongly refused SSP, or the amount you have received is too little, you can phone the HMRC enquiry line on 0300 200 3500 for advice.

What are the basics of Statutory Sick Pay?

• paid by your employer

• paid for up to 28 weeks
 

Can you apply?

• If you have been sick for at least 4 days in a row including weekends and bank holidays and

• you were employed when you became sick and

• earning on average at least £120 per week (calculated by averaging your earnings in the previous eight weeks)

Then you should claim SSP.

You cannot get less than the statutory amount. You can get more if your company has a sick pay scheme (or ‘occupational scheme’) – check your employment contract.
 

Notes

You can get SSP for up to 28 weeks in one spell of sickness.

Spells of at least 4 days in a row with 8 weeks or less between them are counted as one spell.

If you have more than one job you may be entitled to SSP from each employer.

At the end of 28 weeks, or if SSP ends before this, your employer should give you form SSP1 to support a claim for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
 

How much is Statutory Sick Pay?

Standard rate is £123.25 per week. It is subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, if your earnings are high enough.

How to claim

Ask your employer about SSP

From the 8th day of your illness, you may be asked by your employer to provide medical evidence.

You can download a claim form for Statutory Sick Pay here (external link will open in a new browser window)
 

Occupational sick pay schemes

If your employer has an occupational scheme which pays as much or more than Statutory Sick Pay, then they don’t need to pay SSP.

The rules of the occupational scheme may be different, and you will need to follow them, in order to receive occupational sick pay.
 

Changing circumstances

If you go into hospital, your SSP is not affected, however long your stay.

If you work abroad you may be able to get SSP if your employer is liable to pay NI contributions for you.

If you go abroad to visit, SSP can still be paid provided you can prove you are still sick. Most other benefits are affected if you are going abroad.

If you are abroad as part of a service family – members of the Armed Forces cannot get SSP, but members of their families may be able to get it.
 

Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below

Further reading and resources

Procedures around fit notes have changed – we have the details here
return to top