Statutory Sick Pay: How Much and For How Long

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount your employer must pay if you can't work due to illness. In the UK, it's currently £116.75 per week (2025/26 tax year) and can last up to 28 weeks in a rolling 3-year period — but you need to meet the qualifying conditions first. This guide explains how much you'll receive, how long it lasts, and what happens if your employer offers more than statutory.

What Is Statutory Sick Pay?

SSP is a legal minimum payment that employers must make when an employee is too ill to work. It's not the same as being paid your full salary — it's a fixed weekly amount set by the government. SSP is mandatory for employers; employees don't have a choice, and employers can't opt out. Think of it as the floor, not the ceiling. Many employers offer enhanced sick pay on top of SSP (sometimes called "contractual sick pay"), which can be more generous.

SSP applies in England, Scotland, and Wales. (Northern Ireland has similar rules but slightly different rates.)

How Much Is Statutory Sick Pay?

You'll receive £116.75 per week (2025/26 tax year). This is a fixed amount, regardless of your usual salary — whether you earn £20,000 or £200,000, SSP is the same. The government updates this rate each April, so check the Gov.uk page to confirm the current rate in your year.

To qualify, you must:

Earn at least £123 per week (this is the "qualifying earnings" threshold, also updated annually)
Have been employed for at least 3 months at your employer
Have notified your employer within their usual notification period (often "as soon as possible", but check your contract)

If you earn less than £123/week, you don't qualify for SSP. If you're self-employed, you don't qualify either — you'll need to budget for lost income yourself.

Example: You earn £35,000/year (roughly £672/week).

You meet the £123/week threshold ✓
You've worked for your employer for 2 years ✓
You tell them you're ill ✓
You receive £116.75 per week while sick

SSP is taxable income, so your actual take-home will be less than £116.75/week. Our UK salary calculator can show you the net amount after tax and National Insurance. If you're planning ahead, understanding how pension contributions affect your take-home pay might also help you see how different deductions work — the same logic applies to SSP.

How Long Does Statutory Sick Pay Last?

SSP can be paid for a maximum of 28 weeks in any rolling 3-year period. This doesn't mean "28 weeks per year" — it's 28 weeks total spread across a moving 3-year window. Once you've received 28 weeks of SSP, you won't qualify again until 28 weeks have passed from the first day of your first absence.

A few things to know about SSP duration:

The 3-day "waiting period": SSP doesn't start immediately. The first 3 days of each period of illness aren't paid (unless you've had 3 other separate absences within the previous 8 weeks). This is called the "linked period" rule.
Continuity of absence: If you take a day or two off and return to work, then take another day off within 8 weeks, these are usually treated as one continuous absence. The waiting period doesn't restart.
After 28 weeks: You may qualify for Statutory Incapacity Benefit or Employment & Support Allowance if your illness is long-term, but these are different schemes with different eligibility rules.

Scenario: You get flu and are off for a week.

Days 1–3: unpaid (waiting period)
Days 4–7: paid at £116.75/week, pro-rated to 4 days = £66.71
You return to work

Three weeks later, you develop back pain and take another week off.

Days 1–3: unpaid (waiting period doesn't restart because you've been off twice in 8 weeks)
Days 4–7: paid at £116.75/week, pro-rated = £66.71

Both absences count toward your 28-week entitlement. A total of 8 days off costs you 2 × 3 = 6 days unpaid, plus you receive roughly £133.42 in SSP (assuming 5-day weeks).

Who Qualifies for SSP?

SSP is available to employees (not the self-employed) who:

Earn at least £123/week (2025/26 figure — check the current year)
Have worked for the employer for 3 months or more (doesn't need to be continuous)
Are off work due to illness or injury (medical proof may be required after 7 days)
Have notified their employer according to the company's notification policy
Are not covered by another agreement (e.g., you've already claimed 28 weeks in the rolling period)

If you don't qualify:

You earn less than £123/week → no SSP (but you might get other benefits)
You've only worked there for 2 months → no SSP (wait 1 month)
You're self-employed → no SSP (but you can look into income protection insurance instead)
You've used your 28 weeks → no more SSP until the 3-year window resets

Special cases:

Temporary workers and agency staff: You can qualify for SSP if you meet the 3-month rule — it's measured from the first day of your assignment, regardless of how many different agencies you've worked through. For more on agency worker pay and rights, see our guide.
Medical certification: For the first 7 days, you don't need a doctor's note — just tell your employer you're ill. After 7 days, your employer can ask for a Fit Note (formerly called a "Sick Note") from your GP. A Fit Note says either "not fit for work" or "maybe fit for work with adjustments" — if it's the latter, your employer should discuss how you might return.

Enhanced Sick Pay: What Your Employer Might Offer

SSP is the minimum. Many employers offer more, often called "contractual sick pay" or "enhanced sick pay".

Common schemes:

Full pay for 3–6 months, then half pay for a further 3–6 months
Full pay for the first week, then SSP for weeks 2–28
Full pay for any absence under 5 days, then SSP for longer illnesses
No waiting period (SSP from day 1, not day 4)

These vary hugely between employers and industries. Large organisations and the public sector typically offer better schemes; small startups might offer statutory only. To understand how the whole employment package differs across sectors, see our guide on public sector vs private sector pay — benefits like enhanced sick pay are a big part of that difference.

Your contract should say what you're entitled to.

How to check:

Look at your employment contract — it'll list sick pay terms
Ask your HR department or line manager
Check your staff handbook
If it's not written down, you might have a claim under implied contractual terms (but you'd likely need legal advice)

If your employer offers full pay while you're off sick, you'll receive your full salary minus tax and NI. If they offer SSP only, you'll receive £116.75/week while ill, which is almost certainly less than your usual take-home pay. Our UK salary calculator can help you work out both scenarios.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does SSP count toward my tax allowance? A: Yes. SSP is taxable income. Your employer should operate PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and deduct tax and National Insurance from it automatically. After 28 weeks, if you move onto Employment & Support Allowance, that's also taxable.

Q: I'm a contractor or temporary worker. Do I get SSP? A: Only if you're classed as an employee. Contractors on a self-employed basis don't qualify. Temporary agency workers can qualify if they meet the 3-month rule — it's measured from the first day of your assignment, regardless of how many different agencies you've worked through. For more details on how agency worker pay and rights work, see our guide.

Q: Can my employer deduct SSP from my holiday pay? A: No. SSP and holiday pay are separate entitlements. If you're off sick and then take annual leave, you're entitled to the full holiday pay for those days. You can't be "double-dipped" — your employer can't say "you were paid SSP, so we're not paying you for your holiday."

Q: What happens if my employer doesn't pay SSP? A: Contact ACAS (free, confidential advice) or Citizens Advice for guidance. You can claim back SSP at an employment tribunal if your employer refuses to pay without good reason.

Q: Does SSP affect my maternity pay? A: No, they're separate schemes. If you're off sick before maternity leave, you receive SSP. Once statutory maternity pay starts, it replaces SSP. For a detailed breakdown of how maternity pay is calculated week by week, see our guide. Statutory maternity pay is usually 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £191.48/week (2025/26) for up to 33 weeks.

Q: I've used my 28 weeks of SSP. What now? A: Once you've claimed 28 weeks in a rolling 3-year period, SSP stops. You may be eligible for Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) if your illness is long-term. You'd need to apply separately. The assessment looks at how your condition affects your ability to work — it's not automatic.

Q: Can I work part-time while on SSP? A: Not really. SSP is paid when you're "incapable of work". If you're fit enough to do any work, you're not eligible. However, some employers allow "phased return" — working reduced hours while recovering — but that's at their discretion and may affect SSP eligibility. Discuss this with your HR department and your GP.

Check Your Net Sick Pay

Statutory Sick Pay of £116.75 per week is subject to income tax and National Insurance, so your net take-home is less. On a mid-level UK salary, you'll receive roughly £80–£100 per week in your pocket after deductions — significantly less than your usual salary.

If you're worried about the financial impact of a long illness, our UK salary calculator lets you model both your normal take-home and what you'd receive on SSP. You can also explore income protection insurance if you want better coverage.

For more on statutory rights at work, visit Gov.uk's sick pay page or contact ACAS for free advice.