Statutory Sick Pay Calculator
You can use our Statutory Sick Pay calculator to work out the amount you need to pay employees who are on long-term sick leave.
Daily SSP Rate: £0.00
Qualified Sick Pay Days: 0
Total SSP Payable: £0.00
How to calculate Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
Basically, if you’re too ill to drag yourself to work, SSP’s there to throw you a (pretty thin) lifeline. Your boss coughs it up, not the government unless you’re lucky enough to work somewhere with a beefy sick pay policy. Standard SSP is the same everywhere, so you won’t get more just because you work for some fancy tech company or whatever.
You can claim it for up to 28 weeks in a row, as long as your sick notes keep rolling in. If you manage to stay healthy for 56 days straight, your “sickness clock” resets. So if you get knocked out by the flu again after two months of being fine, boom, you can claim another 28 weeks.
Now, the money bit. From April 2025, SSP will go from £116.35 to £118.75 a week. Wow, hold the confetti £2.40 more. That’s, what, a coffee and a half? It’s only about 18% of what the average UK worker actually makes in a week. No wonder people keep grumbling that it’s not enough.
If your job doesn’t top up your sick pay, though, even this tiny bump is better than nothing. So yeah, knowing the rules, how to claim, and what you’ll actually get paid is kinda important. Being off sick is stressful enough without money worries piling on.
Right, let’s get into the nitty-gritty and figure out exactly what you’ll get at this new rate, so you’re not left guessing if you ever have to call in sick.
What is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK means that if you’re too sick to work, your employer has to pay you for up to 28 weeks. This isn’t like those company sick pay schemes that vary widely; SSP is the government’s standard, the same for everyone. If you manage to stay healthy for 56 days after being off sick, your SSP “counter” resets. Fresh start.
Starting 6 April 2025, the weekly SSP rate will increase slightly to £118.75. It’s not a lot. That’s about 2% more than before. It still doesn’t even reach a fifth of the average weekly earnings in the UK. Honestly, it’s hardly enough for a weekly grocery trip if you like buying snacks.
The lesson here is to know what you’re actually entitled to before you catch the flu or whatever is going around. Your wallet will thank you.
How is Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) calculated in the UK, and what are the current rates?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provides financial help for UK employees who cannot work due to illness. Employees can get SSP for up to 28 weeks, which helps them keep a basic income when they are sick.
Starting in April 2024, the weekly SSP rate is £116.35. This amount is about 18% of the average UK wage. In April 2025, this rate is scheduled to rise to £118.75 per week.
Right now, employers begin paying SSP from the fourth day of illness, but changes to the Employment Rights Bill may allow SSP to start from the first day of sickness.
Calculating SSP is simple. It is a fixed weekly rate applied for each eligible day of sickness. This ensures employees get steady support while they recover.
Use our SSP calculator
Our SSP calculator makes it quick and easy to figure out daily entitlements. It calculates the amount due based on the weekly SSP rate and the employee’s qualifying days.
With the 2025/26 tax year coming up, this tool is particularly helpful for staying compliant with the updated rules.
How it works:
- Enter the relevant details, such as periods of sickness and qualifying days.
- The calculator instantly gives the correct SSP amount, helping to save time and reduce mistakes.
This tool is beneficial for both employers and employees, ensuring accurate calculations every time.
At the top of this page, you’ll find the SSP calculator ready to use. Once you’ve used it, you can easily determine who qualifies for SSP.
Who Is Eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)?
To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), employees must earn at least £123 per week before tax. This helps support those who depend on their income when they can’t work due to illness.
Eligibility also includes:
- Agency workers
- Casual workers
- Zero-hours contract employees
Important updates:
- From April 2025, the threshold will increase to £125 per week.
- The lower earnings limit is expected to be removed in the future, but official timelines are not confirmed.
For a full understanding of SSP, it’s important to consider:
- Periods of incapacity for work (PIW)
- Connected episodes of illness
- How part-time employees receive SSP
This ensures fair treatment and proper calculations for all eligible staff.
What Is a Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW)?
A Period of Incapacity for Work (PIW) is the time an employee cannot work due to illness and may qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Key points:
- A PIW begins on the first day an employee is sick and lasts 3 or more consecutive days, including non-working days.
- Multiple sickness periods can be seen as connected events if they happen within 8 weeks of each other. This connection can affect SSP eligibility.
- Only the days the employee would usually work count for SSP purposes.
Understanding PIWs helps both employers and employees accurately determine SSP entitlement and ensures fair sick pay management.
What Are Connected Periods of Sickness?
If an employee has multiple sickness episodes that happen close together, these can be considered one continuous period for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Key points:
- Sickness periods are connected if they are no more than 8 weeks apart.
- If an employee becomes sick again within 8 weeks of their previous illness, it counts as part of the same sickness period.
- This means the 3 waiting days do not restart for each new episode, allowing employees to receive SSP without unnecessary delays.
Understanding connected periods helps employers calculate SSP fairly and accurately, ensuring employees get the sick pay they deserve.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees can qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) like full-time staff, as long as they meet the minimum earnings threshold of £123 per week. This amount will rise to £125 in April 2025.
Employers must calculate SSP correctly for part-time staff. This is important to follow employment law and avoid disputes or tribunal claims.
Using HR or payroll software can make calculations easier, ensuring:
Correct SSP calculations help build trust with staff and ensure employees receive the sick pay they deserve.
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Frequently asked questions
What Is SSP?
SSP, or Statutory Sick Pay, is a benefit for employees who are unable to work due to illness. Eligibility and payment depend on the employee’s earnings and circumstances.
What Is the Maximum Duration for Claiming SSP?
Employees can receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks, either as a single continuous period or across connected periods of illness.
How to Work Out the Daily SSP Rate?
To calculate the daily SSP rate, divide the weekly SSP amount by the number of days the employee normally works each week. This gives the accurate daily rate for their sick pay.
Do Part-Time Employees Qualify for SSP?
Yes, part-time employees are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), provided they meet the standard eligibility criteria.
