Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the legal minimum financial support that United Kingdom employers must pay to qualifying employees who cannot work because of physical or mental sickness or disability.
Eligibility Criteria for SSP
To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay, an individual must:
- Be classed as an employee or agency worker (and have performed work under their employment contract).
- Have been sick for at least 4 consecutive days in a row (including weekends and non-working days), forming a Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW).
- Earn on average at least the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) per week (£125/week for current tax thresholds).
- Notify their employer within the company's agreed deadline or within 7 days.
Qualifying Days and Waiting Days
- Waiting Days: SSP is not payable for the first 3 qualifying days of a Period of Incapacity for Work. Qualifying days are the days the employee normally works under their contract.
- Payable Period: SSP begins on the 4th qualifying day and can continue for up to a maximum of 28 weeks in any one period of sickness (or linked periods occurring within 8 weeks of each other).
- Rate: SSP is paid at a fixed statutory weekly rate (reviewed annually by the UK Government) and is subject to PAYE tax and National Insurance deductions.
Medical Evidence and Fit Notes
- Self-Certification: Employees can self-certify their illness for the first 7 calendar days of sickness absence using company self-certification forms or HMRC form SC2.
- Fit Note: If sickness extends beyond 7 calendar days, the employee must provide a Statement of Fitness for Work (Fit Note) signed by a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist, or physiotherapist.
- Author
- PlainStaff Editorial Team
- Workforce Management Editorial Team
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