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If you're an employee and unable to work because you're ill you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay. It is paid by your employer and can be paid for up to 28 weeks.
If you're working for an employer under a contract of service (even if you've only just started), you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if the following apply:
If you have more than one job, you may get SSP from each employer.
Please read 'SSP - eligibility and what days you will be paid for' for more information.
To get SSP you must:
Please read 'SSP - telling your employer you are sick and providing evidence' for more information.
The standard rate for SSP is £79.15 a week.
Your employer will work out a daily rate of SSP if necessary by dividing the weekly rate by the number of days you’d normally work in that week. For working out SSP the week begins with a Sunday.
SSP is usually paid on your normal payday in the same way as your normal earnings.
SSP is subject to tax and National Insurance contributions. However if you only receive SSP your earnings may not be high enough to pay tax unless you get other payments on top of your SSP.
If you cannot get SSP or SSP has ended your employer must fill in form SSP1 and give this to you. On the form, your employer must say why SSP has not been paid or why it is ending and the last date of payment. Form SSP1 is used to support a claim for Employment and Support Allowance.
There are two versions of the form, one you can print and then complete using a pen, or one you can complete online and then print.
If your employer has a sick pay scheme, which is equal to, or more than SSP, they do not have to operate the SSP scheme. They may also have different rules for payment, which you must keep to.
Please read 'sick pay rights' for more information about occupational sick pay schemes.
If you are sick after 28 weeks of occupational sick pay, or if this ends earlier and you are not entitled to SSP, your employer must give you form SSP1 for you to claim Employment and Support Allowance.
SSP is payable to you in exactly the same way as it is payable to others who are classified as employees, if you meet the qualifying conditions for payment.
It remains payable while you are working on an assignment or under contract with your agency. Your employer can't end your contract of service to avoid paying you SSP.
SSP can affect some other benefits and payments that you may be entitled to. Please read 'SSP - effect on other benefits and payments' for more information.
If you go into hospital, SSP isn't affected.
If you work abroad, you may be able to get SSP if your employer pays National Insurance contributions for you.
If you go abroad to visit, you may still claim SSP if you can prove you're still sick.
Serving members of the Armed Forces cannot get SSP, but members of their families may be able to get it.
Please read 'Claiming benefits in Europe' for more information.
If your employer does not pay you SSP because they are insolvent, payment will be made by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They will only do this when your employer has been formally declared insolvent.
HMRC will take over the payment from and including the week of insolvency. Any payments before that date must be paid by your employer.
If your employer is insolvent, you should telephone the Statutory Payments Disputes Team on 0191 225 5221. They will need to know:
You may also be asked to provide some of this information in writing.
If you think your employer's decision not to pay you SSP is wrong, or that you’re not getting the right amount, ask them for the reason.
If you still disagree, you can contact the HM Revenue and Customs employees enquiry line on 0845 302 1479 for advice.
Please read ‘Statutory payments - if you think your employer's decision is wrong' for more information.
