UK Statutory Sick Pay
Calculator
Calculate exactly how much SSP you or your employee is entitled to under the latest Employment Rights Act 2025 rules.
SSP now starts from Day 1 (no more 3-day wait) & the Lower Earnings Limit has been removed — all employees now qualify regardless of earnings.
Select the days your employee normally works. SSP is only paid for these days.
| Week | Qualifying Days | SSP Amount | Status |
|---|
The eligibility rules have been significantly simplified. More workers now qualify for SSP than ever before.
✅ Who qualifies (from April 2026)
- All employees regardless of earnings
- Part-time workers
- Zero-hours contract workers
- Agency workers (via agency)
- Eligible from Day 1 of sickness
- Those earning below LEL (80% rate)
❌ Who does NOT qualify
- Self-employed individuals
- Directors (usually)
- Employees in custody
- Those on strike during sickness
- Workers who haven't notified employer
- Those beyond 28 weeks in same PIW
📋 Notification rules
You must notify your employer as soon as possible. Employers can set their own notification deadline — if they don't, the default is 7 calendar days after the first day of sickness.
🔗 Linked periods
Two periods of sickness separated by 56 days (8 weeks) or less are treated as one continuous period for SSP purposes — the 28-week maximum applies across all linked periods.
| Tax Year | Weekly Rate | Day 1 Right | LEL Required | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026/27 ✦ | £123.25 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Removed | 28 weeks |
| 2025/26 | £118.75 | ✗ Day 4 | ✗ £125/wk | 28 weeks |
| 2024/25 | £116.35 | ✗ Day 4 | ✗ £123/wk | 28 weeks |
| 2023/24 | £109.40 | ✗ Day 4 | ✗ £123/wk | 28 weeks |
| 2022/23 | £99.35 | ✗ Day 4 | ✗ £123/wk | 28 weeks |
✦ Current year. Source: GOV.UK / HMRC / Employment Rights Act 2025
SSP daily rate = Weekly rate ÷ Number of qualifying days per week
| Qualifying Days/Week | Daily Rate | Typical Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | £123.25 | 1 day/week |
| 2 days | £61.63 | 2 days/week |
| 3 days | £41.08 | 3 days/week |
| 4 days | £30.81 | 4 days/week |
| 5 days | £24.65 | Standard Mon–Fri |
| 6 days | £20.54 | 6 days/week |
| 7 days | £17.61 | 7 days/week |
📐 How SSP is calculated
- Identify qualifying days (normal working days)
- From 6 April 2026: SSP starts from Day 1
- If AWE < £123.25/wk: pay lower of £123.25 or 80% AWE
- Daily rate = weekly rate ÷ qualifying days per week
- Multiply daily rate × qualifying sick days
- Round fractions of a penny up
💰 Can employers pay more?
Yes. Employers can offer Occupational Sick Pay (OSP) which exceeds SSP. They cannot pay less than the statutory minimum.
After 28 weeks of SSP, employees may claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from DWP.
📑 Fit notes (formerly sick notes)
For periods of 7 days or less, self-certification is sufficient. For longer absences, a fit note (Statement of Fitness for Work) from a GP or other healthcare provider is required.
⚠️ Fair Work Agency
From 7 April 2026, the government launched the Fair Work Agency with powers to enforce SSP compliance. Employers who underpay SSP risk investigation and penalties.
Use the Calculator tab to get started.
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