Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
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.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
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’re self-isolating because:
- you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus
- you’ve been notified by the NHS or public health authorities that you’ve been in contact with someone with coronavirus
- someone in your support bubble (or your ‘extended household’ if you live in Scotland or Wales) has coronavirus symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus
- you’ve been advised by a doctor or healthcare professional to self-isolate before going into hospital for surgery
You can also get SSP if you’ve been advised to shield because you’re at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.
You cannot get SSP if you’re self-isolating after entering or returning to the UK and do not need to self-isolate for any other reason.
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.