Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Calculator — 2026 rules
SSP changed significantly in April 2026: it is now paid from your first day off sick, the minimum-earnings test has been abolished, and the weekly amount is £123.25 or 80% of your average weekly earnings — whichever is lower. Enter your details to see what you are owed.
How it works
Your weekly SSP is the lower of £123.25 or 80% of your average weekly earnings. Your daily rate is that weekly amount divided by the number of qualifying days you normally work each week. Multiply by the days you are off sick to get your total.
Under the Employment Rights Act 2025 (in force from 6 April 2026) there are no more "waiting days" — you are paid from the first day of sickness, not the fourth. The old rule that you had to earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit has also been scrapped, so low-paid and part-time workers now qualify.
SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks per period of sickness. Your employer may pay more under a company sick pay scheme — SSP is the legal minimum.
FAQ
How much is Statutory Sick Pay in 2026/27?
The weekly rate is £123.25, but if 80% of your average weekly earnings is less than that, you get the 80% figure instead. This "lower of" rule is new from April 2026 and means everyone who works gets some sick pay, regardless of how little they earn.
When does SSP start — do waiting days still exist?
No. From 6 April 2026, SSP is paid from the first qualifying day you are off sick. Before the reform you were unpaid for the first three days. If your sickness began before 6 April 2026, the old rules may still apply to that absence.
I work part-time and earn under £129 a week — do I qualify?
Yes. The Lower Earnings Limit test was abolished in April 2026. There is no longer any minimum earnings requirement — you qualify as an employee who has done some work and is sick for at least one full working day. You will receive 80% of your average weekly earnings (as that is below £123.25).
How long can I get SSP for?
Up to 28 weeks for a single period of sickness. After that, you may be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit. Linked periods of sickness (within 8 weeks of each other) count together toward the 28-week limit.