Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Calculator UK 2026/27 — Qualification & Rates

If you are an employee in the UK taking time off work due to illness or injury, you may be legally entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid by your employer.

The statutory UK SSP rate for 2026/27 is £125.10 per week, payable for up to 28 weeks. To qualify, you must earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) of £123.00 gross per week and be off sick for at least 4 consecutive days (a Period of Incapacity for Work - PIW).

⚙️ Statutory UK SSP Qualification Rules & Terms for 2026/27

1. Key SSP Qualification Criteria

To legally qualify for Statutory Sick Pay in the UK, an employee MUST:

• Be classed as an employee and have done work for their employer.
• Earn an average of at least £123.00 gross per week (the Lower Earnings Limit - LEL).
• Have been sick for at least 4 consecutive days in a row (including weekends and non-working days). This 4-day period is known as a Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW).

2. The 3 Unpaid Waiting Days Rule

• Waiting Days: SSP is NOT paid for the first 3 qualifying working days of sickness absence.
• Payable Days: SSP payments start on the 4th qualifying working day of sickness absence.
• Daily SSP Calculation: Daily SSP Rate = Statutory Weekly Rate (£125.10) ÷ Qualifying Working Days per Week.
• Example: An employee working a 5-day week (Mon-Fri) off sick for 10 consecutive days (7 qualifying working days):
  • Daily SSP Rate = £125.10 ÷ 5 days = £25.02 per day.
  • Unpaid Waiting Days = First 3 working days (Unpaid £0.00).
  • Payable Days = 7 working days – 3 waiting days = 4 payable days.
  • Total SSP Payable = 4 days × £25.02 = £100.08 total SSP.

3. Linked Sickness Periods & The 28-Week Limit

• Linked Sickness: If you have regular periods of sickness separated by 8 weeks (56 days) or less, the sickness periods are ‘linked’. You only serve 3 waiting days once across linked periods.
• Maximum 28-Week Cap: The maximum duration an employer pays SSP is 28 weeks. Once 28 weeks of SSP are exhausted (or if earnings drop below £123/wk), the employer issues Form SSP1, allowing the employee to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit from the DWP.

📊 Practical Statutory Sick Pay Worked Examples

Below are two worked calculation examples illustrating SSP qualification:

📑 Common Pitfalls & SSP Warnings

1. Self-Certification vs Medical Fit Notes (7-Day Rule): Employees can self-certify sickness absence for up to 7 consecutive calendar days. If off sick for more than 7 days, you MUST provide your employer with an official doctor’s Fit Note (statement of fitness for work) from your GP or hospital.
2. Confusing SSP with Occupational Contractual Sick Pay (OSP): SSP is the legal statutory minimum. Many UK employers offer Occupational / Contractual Sick Pay (e.g. 4 weeks full pay, followed by 4 weeks half pay). Your contract of employment specifies if OSP applies.
3. Agency & Zero-Hours Contract Worker Rights: Agency workers and zero-hours contract workers ARE entitled to Statutory Sick Pay provided their average weekly earnings over the previous 8 weeks equal or exceed £123.00.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)