🤒 Am I entitled to Statutory Sick Pay?

With conditions

Quick answer

If you're an employee and genuinely sick, yes — Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is £123.25 a week for 2026/27. The basis is the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, reformed by the Employment Rights Act 2025 with key changes in force from 6 April 2026. From that date, SSP is payable from day one — the old three unpaid waiting days are abolished — and the Lower Earnings Limit threshold is removed, so all employees qualify regardless of earnings. Low earners now get the lower of 80% of average weekly earnings or £123.25. You must be an employee, genuinely sick, and provide a fit note if off more than 7 days. SSP is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. The genuinely self-employed get no SSP. In short: yes if you're an employee — now from day one.

📋 The rules

SSP is £123.25 a week (2026/27)
From 6 Apr 2026: paid from day one (no waiting days)
From 6 Apr 2026: all employees qualify, any earnings
Low earners: lower of 80% of pay or £123.25
Paid by the employer for up to 28 weeks

🔓 Exceptions

Transitional protection for those on SSP before 6 Apr 2026 who'd lose out
The genuinely self-employed get no SSP (consider New Style ESA)
Absences within 8 weeks 'link' toward the same 28-week limit

⚠️ Penalties & fines

There's no penalty on you — these are your rights. The rate is £123.25 a week, with an 80%-of-earnings cap for low earners, for up to 28 weeks per period of incapacity. The big 2026 change is that the three waiting days are gone and SSP is now a day-one payment, and the earnings threshold has been removed so part-time and low-paid employees qualify. From April 2026, SSP disputes are enforced by the new Fair Work Agency. Beware a myth: "you only get sick pay after the first three days" is false from 6 April 2026 — SSP is now payable from the first day of sickness. To claim: tell your employer you're sick, follow their sickness reporting rules, and provide a fit note if you're off more than 7 days.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

How much is Statutory Sick Pay?

Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week for the 2026/27 tax year, paid by your employer. Low earners receive the lower of 80% of their average weekly earnings or £123.25. SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks in a single period of sickness. The self-employed aren't entitled to SSP.

Do I get sick pay from the first day?

Yes, from 6 April 2026. The Employment Rights Act 2025 abolished the three unpaid waiting days, so Statutory Sick Pay is now payable from the first day you're off sick. Previously, SSP only started from the fourth qualifying day. This is one of the biggest changes to sick pay in years, making it a day-one entitlement.

Do I have to earn a certain amount to qualify?

No, not since 6 April 2026. The Lower Earnings Limit threshold that previously excluded the lowest-paid workers has been removed, so all employees now qualify for SSP regardless of how much they earn. Lower earners receive the lower of 80% of their average weekly earnings or the standard £123.25 weekly rate.

Do I need a sick note?

If you're off sick for more than seven calendar days, including non-working days, you'll usually need to provide a fit note, sometimes called a sick note, from a GP or other authorised healthcare professional. For the first seven days, you can normally self-certify, using your employer's self-certification process or form.

Can I get SSP if I'm self-employed?

No. Statutory Sick Pay is only for employees, paid by their employer. If you're genuinely self-employed, you're not entitled to SSP. Instead, you may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance, or Universal Credit, depending on your circumstances, National Insurance record and income, to help while you're unable to work.

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