Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a payment made by an employer to an employee who is too ill to work. The maximum amount of SSP is £116.75 per week, and it is paid for up to 28 weeks.
To be eligible for SSP, employees or workers must meet specific criteria, including:
Employers may request a fit note from a registered healthcare professional before paying SSP. Employees must obtain a fit note if they've been off sick for more than 7 calendar days.
SSP is £116.75 per week and can be paid for up to 28 weeks. Employees are entitled to SSP for the days they would have worked, except for the first 3 waiting days.
If 2 or more periods of sickness absence are linked, within the 8 week allowable linking period, there are only 3 waiting days in total.
If there's a problem with SSP, employees can contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) statutory payment dispute team.
Employers must inform employees in writing if they are not eligible for SSP within 7 days of their first day off sick.
Some employers may pay more than the minimum statutory sick pay amount.
The first 3 days of sickness absence may be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer's contract or workplace policy.
Employees can find more information on SSP on GOV.UK.
Agricultural workers have different sick pay rules, which may vary from the standard SSP rules.
Some companies may have a sick pay scheme that provides more than the statutory amount. This can be checked in the employment contract. Contractual sick pay (CSP) may also be available, which is a separate payment made by the employer.
Part-time and agency workers are also eligible for SSP, but the rules may vary depending on their employment contract.
Employees on zero-hours contracts may be eligible for SSP, but the rules may vary depending on their employment contract.
Women who are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or Maternity Allowance (MA) are not entitled to SSP during their Maternity Pay Period (MPP) or Maternity Allowance Period (MAP). The MPP or MAP is a period of 39 weeks during which SMP or MA is payable.
SSP is designed to provide financial assistance to employees who are too ill to work. However, it may not cover all living costs, and employees may need to seek additional financial assistance.
By understanding how SSP works, employees can plan their finances and ensure they receive the support they need during periods of illness.
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