You can get £95.85 a week Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) for up to 28 weeks. If you’re off work because of coronavirus (COVID-19) If you’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus You’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus if you have a letter from the NHS or your GP telling you to stay at home for at least 12 weeks. You can start getting SSP from 16 April 2020. You can then get SSP for each day the NHS or your GP says you have to stay at home - up to 28 weeks. If you’re self-isolating because you or someone you live with has symptoms You must self-isolate for at least 4 days to be eligible for SSP . You can get SSP for every day you were self-isolating if you started on or after 13 March. If you started self-isolating before 13 March, you can get SSP from: the fourth day you were sick - if you had coronavirus symptoms 13 March - if you were self-isolating because someone you live with had symptoms Check you’re eligible for SSP . If you’re off sick for another reason You can get SSP from the fourth day you’re off sick. The days you’re off sick when you normally would have worked are called ‘qualifying days’. If you’re eligible, you’ll get SSP for all your qualifying days, except for the first 3. These are called ‘waiting days’. You only get paid for waiting days if you’ve already received SSP within the last 8 weeks, and that included a 3-day waiting period. Check you’re eligible for SSP . How you’re paid SSP is paid by your employer in the same way as your normal wages, for example weekly or monthly. If you have more than one job you may get SSP from each employer. Tax and National Insurance will be deducted. If you think you are not getting the right amount of SSP , talk to your employer. If you’re still not happy, contact the HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) enquiry line .

To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) you must: be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer earn an average of at least £120 per week have been ill, self-isolating or ‘shielding’ for at least 4 days in a row (including non-working days) How many days you can get SSP for depends on why you’re off work. Agency workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay. Telling your employer You must usually tell your employer you’re unable to work before the deadline they set (or within 7 days if they have not set one). There is a different deadline if you’re at high risk from coronavirus (COVID-19) and got your NHS or GP letter before 16 April. You must tell your employer by 23 April. You could lose some of your SSP if you do not tell your employer in time. Exceptions You will not qualify if you: have received the maximum amount of SSP (28 weeks) are getting Statutory Maternity Pay have been put ‘on furlough’ by your employer You can still qualify if you started your job recently and you have not received 8 weeks’ pay yet. Ask your employer to find out more. Linked periods of sickness If you have regular periods of sickness, they may count as ‘linked’. To be linked, the periods must: last 4 or more days each be 8 weeks or less apart You’re no longer eligible for SSP if you have a continuous series of linked periods that lasts more than 3 years. Fit notes and asking for proof You only have to give your employer a fit note (sometimes called a sick note) if you’re off sick for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days). If you’re self-isolating and cannot work because of coronavirus, you can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111 if you’re off work for 7 or more days. You do not have to go to your GP or a hospital. If you have been told to stay at home by the NHS or your GP because you’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus, your letter is proof. Contact your GP if you do not have a letter and you think you should have been sent one. If you’re off sick for any other reason, you can get a fit note from your GP or hospital doctor. If your employer agrees, a similar document can be provided by a physiotherapist, podiatrist or occupational therapist instead. This is called an Allied Health Professional ( AHP ) Health and Work Report. If you’re not eligible or your SSP ends You may be able to apply for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance ( ESA ) . You can use form SSP1 to support your application. If your SSP is ending your employer must send you form SSP1 either: within 7 days of your SSP ending, if it ends unexpectedly while you’re still sick on or before the beginning of the 23rd week, if your SSP is expected to end before your sickness does If you do not qualify for SSP your employer must send you form SSP1 within 7 days of you going off sick.

To claim Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ), tell your employer by the deadline . Check with your employer how you should tell them. If you cannot work for 7 or more days (including non-working days) you need: an ‘isolation note’ if you’re unable to work because of coronavirus (COVID-19) your NHS or GP letter if you have been told to stay at home because you’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus a ‘ fit note ’ (or sick note) if you’re off sick for another reason If you’re unhappy with a decision Talk to your employer if you think: their decision not to pay you SSP is wrong you’re not getting the right amount of SSP You can ask them for a reason. If this does not sort the problem, contact HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ). HMRC statutory payment dispute team Telephone: 03000 560 630 Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm Find out about call charges If you’re a textphone user, contact the HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) employees’ enquiry line. HMRC employees’ enquiry line Textphone: 0300 200 3212 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm Find out about call charges

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Q: Overview

You can get £95.85 per week Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. You must be eligible for 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. There are different sick pay rules for agricultural workers . There’s a separate guide on Statutory Sick Pay if you’re an employer . If you cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19) You could get SSP if you cannot work and you’re: self-isolating staying at home because you’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus - this is called ‘shielding’ You could get SSP for every day you’re off work. If your illness is not related to coronavirus If your illness is not related to coronavirus, you can get SSP from the fourth day you are off work sick.

Overview

You can get £95.85 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

You must be eligible for 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.

There are different sick pay rules for agricultural workers.

There’s a separate guide on Statutory Sick Pay if you’re an employer.

If you cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

You could get SSP if you cannot work and you’re:

self-isolating
staying at home because you’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus - this is called ‘shielding’

You could get SSP for every day you’re off work.

If your illness is not related to coronavirus, you can get SSP from the fourth day you are off work sick.

Print entire guide

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Overview

If you cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Tell us whether you accept cookies

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Overview

If you cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)

If your illness is not related to coronavirus

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK