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Off sick? You may be owed SSP from day one.

Last verified 6 Jun 2026 · Source GOV.UK Statutory Sick Pay + Employment Rights Act 2025 reform · Publisher: SortedUK Ltd (filed 5 Jun 2026)

Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week (or 80% of your normal weekly earnings if lower), paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. A big change from April 2026: SSP is now paid from your first day off sick — the old 3-day waiting period is gone — and the lower earnings limit has been removed, so more low-paid workers now qualify. If your employer isn't paying it, you have routes to put that right.

£123.25/wkOr 80% of earnings if lower
Day 1No more waiting days
28 weeksMaximum
No min. earningsSince April 2026
What changed in 2026? Your rights at work

How much and how long

  • £123.25 a week, or 80% of your normal weekly earnings if that's lower (2026/27).
  • Paid by your employer in the same way as your wages — tax and National Insurance come off it.
  • Paid for up to 28 weeks for the full days you'd normally have worked.
  • If you have more than one job, you may get SSP from each employer.

Your employer works out 80% using your average weekly earnings over an 8-week period. You still qualify if you started recently and haven't yet had 8 weeks' pay.

The April 2026 changes

Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, two important changes took effect on 6 April 2026:

  • Paid from day one. The old 3-day waiting period is gone — SSP is now paid from your first qualifying sick day.
  • No lower earnings limit. The minimum-earnings threshold has been removed, so low-paid workers who used to be shut out now qualify. For those low earners, SSP is the lower of £123.25 or 80% of their normal weekly earnings.
Why this matters Together these changes mean millions more part-time, low-paid and short-term-sick workers can now get sick pay — and everyone is paid from the very first day off, not the fourth. If you were told in the past you didn't earn enough for SSP, the rules have changed: check again.

Who can get it

You qualify if:

  • You're classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer.
  • You're off sick (since April 2026 there's no minimum number of sick days before pay starts).
  • You tell your employer within their deadline (and give a fit note from a GP if you're off more than 7 days).

You can't get SSP if you're self-employed. If you can't get SSP, you may be able to claim 'new style' Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead.

If SSP runs out or you don't qualify

SSP lasts a maximum of 28 weeks. If your illness continues beyond that, or you never qualified, your employer must give you form SSP1. Use it to claim:

  • 'New style' Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) — based on your National Insurance record, for people with a health condition that limits their ability to work.
  • Universal Credit — means-tested support that can include extra amounts if you have a health condition.

You can often claim ESA and Universal Credit together. A free benefits check will show what fits your situation.

If your employer won't pay

Claim it now — free

Have ready: records of every sick day and any fit notes from your GP — raise it with your employer first, then ACAS or the HMRC statutory payments dispute team.

  1. Raise it with your employer first — sometimes it's a payroll error.
  2. If it's not resolved, contact the HMRC statutory payments dispute team, who can decide whether your employer must pay.
  3. Get free advice from ACAS on 0300 123 1100 — impartial guidance on sick pay and your rights at work.
  4. Keep records of every sick day and any fit notes from your GP.
You can't be sacked just for being off sick Being dismissed because you're unwell may be unfair dismissal, and dismissal connected to a disability may be discrimination. If you're worried, talk to ACAS or Citizens Advice before agreeing to anything — see your rights at work.

Free UK support

  • GOV.UK Statutory Sick Pay — rates, eligibility + how to claim.
  • ACAS — 0300 123 1100. Free advice on sick pay and work rights.
  • Citizens Advice — 0800 144 8848. Free help + a benefits check if SSP runs out.
  • HMRC statutory payments disputes — if your employer won't pay.

Statutory Sick Pay — common questions

How much is SSP in 2026?

£123.25 a week, or 80% of your normal weekly earnings if that's lower (2026/27). Paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks, with tax and NI deducted like normal wages.

What changed in April 2026?

From 6 April 2026, SSP is paid from your first day off sick (the 3-day waiting period was scrapped) and the lower earnings limit was removed, so low-paid workers now qualify too — getting the lower of £123.25 or 80% of their normal weekly earnings.

Who is eligible?

Employees who are off sick and tell their employer in time. Since April 2026 there's no minimum earnings and no waiting days. The self-employed can't get SSP — they may claim 'new style' ESA or Universal Credit instead.

How long does it last?

Up to 28 weeks per period of sickness (or linked periods). If it ends or you don't qualify, your employer gives you form SSP1 so you can claim 'new style' ESA or Universal Credit.

What if my employer won't pay?

Raise it with them first; if unresolved, contact the HMRC statutory payments dispute team, who can decide. ACAS (0300 123 1100) gives free advice. Keep records of sick days and fit notes.

Sources Statutory Sick Pay · GOV.UK (What you'll get — £123.25/wk or 80% of normal weekly earnings, up to 28 weeks; page updated 27 May 2026). April 2026 reform (waiting days removed + lower earnings limit removed) · Employment Rights Act 2025 SSP factsheet, GOV.UK. If SSP ends: 'new style' ESA / Universal Credit · GOV.UK. Free help: ACAS 0300 123 1100 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 · HMRC statutory payments disputes. Last reviewed: 6 June 2026.
Your safest next step today

Off sick and unsure you're being paid right? Check your SSP.

Since April 2026 SSP is paid from day one and there's no minimum earnings — so if you were refused before, check again. If your employer won't pay, ACAS (0300 123 1100) and HMRC can step in.

Your rights at work Check benefits if SSP ends Get urgent help
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