Precision Utility
How Much Sick Pay Will I Get? UK Calculator
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by employers for up to 28 weeks to eligible employees, payable from your very first day of sickness absence. Since 6 April 2026 the Lower Earnings Limit has been abolished, so all employees qualify regardless of how much they earn. SSP is subject to standard PAYE Income Tax and National Insurance.
SSP Weekly Rate
£123.25
Max Duration
28 weeks
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) calculator built for UK employees. Enter the scheduled workdays you missed, average weekly earnings and normal working pattern to instantly calculate your SSP entitlement. The calculator uses the 2026/27 SSP rate of £123.25 per week, payable from your very first day of sickness absence — waiting days were abolished from 6 April 2026 — up to the maximum 28-week period.
Your Details
Use your average over the relevant 8-week period. SSP is the lower of 80% of this amount and £123.25.
Total Statutory Sick Pay
£0.00
SSP Weekly Rate
£0.00
SSP Daily Rate
£0.00
Waiting Days
0
Paid Days
0
Total Days Off
0 days
Duration in Weeks
0 weeks
Qualifying Days
0 days
Eligible for SSP
Yes
How the sick pay calculator works
Enter the number of scheduled working days you have missed (or expect to miss) due to sickness and your regular working pattern to work out your Statutory Sick Pay entitlement under the rules that took effect from 6 April 2026.
SSP is paid only on qualifying days — these are the days you would normally be required to work. Since 6 April 2026, SSP is paid from your very first qualifying day of sickness absence; the previous three unpaid "waiting days" have been abolished. SSP is paid at the flat rate of £123.25 per week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that figure is lower.
The daily SSP rate is calculated by dividing the weekly rate (£123.25) by the number of qualifying days in your working week. For example, if you work 5 days per week, your daily SSP rate is £24.65. SSP can be paid for a maximum of 28 weeks in any single period of incapacity for work.
The calculator takes the number of scheduled working days missed and multiplies each qualifying day by your daily statutory rate — with no waiting days deducted — to give your total Statutory Sick Pay entitlement, up to the 28-week cap.
What you need to know about Statutory Sick Pay
Statutory Sick Pay is a legal entitlement paid by your employer when you are too ill to work. It is not a benefit — it comes from your employer as part of your normal pay. The key rules for the 2026/27 tax year are:
- SSP rate: £123.25 per week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that figure is lower
- Lower Earnings Limit: abolished from 6 April 2026 — all employees now qualify regardless of earnings
- Waiting days: abolished from 6 April 2026 — SSP is paid from your first day of sickness absence
- Maximum duration: SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks per period of sickness
- Qualifying days: only the days you normally work count — weekends or rest days do not
- Fit note: for absences over 7 days, your employer can ask for a fit note from your GP
If you are not eligible for SSP — for example, because you are a worker rather than an employee, or have exhausted your 28 weeks — you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead.
For the latest statutory rates and guidance, see the official GOV.UK Statutory Sick Pay page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SSP rate for 2026/27?
The Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rate for the 2026/27 tax year is £123.25 per week, or 80% of your average weekly earnings if that figure is lower. Enter your average weekly earnings to apply the lower-rate rule. The Lower Earnings Limit qualifying condition was removed from 6 April 2026.
Who qualifies for Statutory Sick Pay?
To qualify for SSP you must be classed as an employee. From 6 April 2026, the Lower Earnings Limit qualifying condition has been removed, so all employees now qualify regardless of earnings, and SSP is payable from your first day of sickness absence rather than the fourth. Agency workers and some employees on short contracts may not qualify.
What are waiting days for SSP?
Waiting days no longer exist. Before 6 April 2026, the first 3 qualifying days of sickness were unpaid, but this rule was abolished as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms. SSP is now paid from the very first qualifying day of your sickness absence.
How long does SSP last?
SSP is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks per period of sickness. After 28 weeks, SSP stops and you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead. Your employer must send you form SSP1 at least 4 weeks before your SSP is due to end.
Can I receive SSP alongside other benefits?
SSP counts as earnings, so it can affect means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. However, you cannot receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) at the same time as SSP. Once SSP ends after 28 weeks, you can then apply for ESA or other benefits.
What is the difference between employer sick pay and SSP?
SSP is the legal minimum your employer must pay when you are off sick. Many employers offer their own contractual sick pay scheme, often called occupational or company sick pay, which may pay more than SSP — sometimes your full salary for a set number of weeks. Contractual sick pay usually includes SSP within it rather than being paid on top. Check your employment contract for details.