SSP Calculator UK 2026/27

Calculate your Statutory Sick Pay entitlement. Check eligibility, see your 3 unpaid waiting days, and find out your total SSP payable at £116.75/week for 2026/27.

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SSP rate 2026/27: £116.75/week · Lower Earnings Limit: £123/week

Statutory Sick Pay FAQs

Who qualifies for Statutory Sick Pay in the UK?
To qualify for SSP in 2026/27 you must be an employee (not self-employed), have been ill for at least 4 consecutive days (including non-working days), and earn at least £123/week on average before tax. You must also have told your employer you are sick within the required timeframe (usually 7 days, unless your employer has a different policy). Agency workers, casual workers and zero-hours contract workers can also qualify if they meet the earnings threshold. Self-employed individuals and those earning below £123/week are not eligible for SSP, but may claim Universal Credit instead.
What are the 3 waiting days for SSP?
The first 3 qualifying days of any period of sickness are known as "waiting days" or "waiting period days." These are unpaid · you do not receive SSP for them. Qualifying days are typically the days you are contracted to work. So if you work Monday to Friday and fall ill on a Monday, Wednesday would be your first paid SSP day (days 1, 2 and 3 being Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are unpaid). If your employer has their own sick pay scheme that is more generous, they may choose to pay you during the waiting days · check your employment contract. Waiting days only apply at the start of a new period of sickness; if you return to work and fall ill again within 8 weeks, the two periods are linked and no further waiting days apply.
How long can I receive Statutory Sick Pay?
You can receive SSP for a maximum of 28 weeks in any one period of sickness. After 28 weeks you are no longer entitled to SSP and your employer must give you an SSP1 form, which you can use to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit. SSP is paid at £116.75/week for 2026/27 regardless of your actual salary. If you have multiple linked periods of sickness (within 8 weeks of each other) these count as one continuous period toward the 28-week maximum. Once 28 weeks of SSP are exhausted you must wait for a new period of sickness starting at least 8 weeks after recovery to become eligible again.

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For informational purposes only · Not financial or legal advice · Rates shown are for 2026/27 · SSP rate subject to annual review by the UK Government