If you’re eligible, you can get £118.75 a week Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) for up to 28 weeks. You’ll be paid SSP for all the days you’re off sick that you normally would have worked, except for the first 3. You’ll only be paid SSP for the first 3 working days you are off sick if you received SSP within the last 8 weeks. This must have included a 3-day waiting period before you were paid 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 £125 per week have been ill for more than 3 days in a row (including non-working days) 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). 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 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 more than 3 days in a row 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 must give your employer a fit note if you’re off work for more than 7 days in a row (including non-working days). You can get a fit note (sometimes called a sick note) from the following healthcare professionals: GP or hospital doctor registered nurse occupational therapist pharmacist physiotherapist The note can be printed or digital. Other proof of sickness If your employer agrees, you can get a similar document from a physiotherapist, podiatrist or occupational therapist instead of a fit note. This is called an Allied Health Professional ( AHP ) Health and Work Report. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist will give you either a fit note or an AHP Health and Work Report depending on your needs. 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 your first day off sick.

To claim Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ), tell your employer by the deadline . Check with your employer how you should tell them. If your employer needs something in writing you can use form SC2 . 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 the HMRC Statutory Payment Disputes Team .

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Q: Overview

You can get £118.75 per week Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) . 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 .

Overview

You can get £118.75 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

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.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Overview

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Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Overview

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